By Secrets Reporters
Press freedom came under fresh attack on Thursday as Fejiro Oliver, Editor-in-Chief of Secrets Reporters, was arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) allegedly acting on the orders of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oliver, a well-known journalist and critic of the Delta State government, was taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he was presented with a petition signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security. The petition accused him of “cyberstalking” the Governor.
Despite stating that he bore no personal grudge against the Governor and reaffirming his commitment as a Delta indigene to speak on issues affecting the state, Oliver was flown to Asaba on Friday. He is currently being held at the Delta State Police Command Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
His lawyers are expected to meet him in custody, amid concerns raised by civil society groups and colleagues who describe his detention as an attempt to muzzle the press.
Sources confirmed that Oliver was arrested in his Abuja office and moved to Delta State within 24 hours. Observers believe the move is a direct response to his consistent criticism of Governor Oborevwori’s policies, particularly on issues of alleged mismanagement and police complicity in the oppression of citizens.
Media rights advocates have condemned the development, warning that the arrest signals a dangerous clampdown on free speech and democratic accountability in Nigeria.