Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development
On June 18, 2022, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Jeremiah Omoniyi, a student journalist covering the governorship election in Ekiti State at Polling Unit 001, Ward 01, Afao Ekiti in Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Jeremiah, a student of Ekiti State University deployed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) as an election observer, made a video of the brawl which CJID and Premium Times posted on their social media handles.
Thereafter about 15 DSS operatives arrived the polling unit and asked for the person who posted the video of the brawl at the polling unit. Once they identified Jeremiah as the CJID/Premium Times observer, they arrested and whisked him away. He was manhandled by the DSS operatives as he resisted forceful arrest and got his short torn.
He was first taken to a private hotel for interrogation then to a police station where he was detained. He was questioned about why he made the video and what was the contents of the video.
He was released same day after about 30 minutes following CJID intervention in the matter.
