Nigerian arrested for tweeting attack pictures freed
Apr 12, 2014
Nigeria has released a man who was arrested for tweeting pictures of an attempted jail break at the headquarters of the intelligence agency in Abuja, a family friend told AFP Saturday.
LAGOS - Nigeria has released a man who was arrested for tweeting pictures of an attempted jail break at the headquarters of the intelligence agency in Abuja, a family friend told AFP Saturday.
Yusuf Siyaka Onimisi, who works for a national electricity firm, was arrested and held incommunicado for at least 11 days after tweeting the pictures.
"Yes, Yusuf Onimisi has been released. His younger brother, Sanusi Onimisi, a student at Bayero University in Kano, spoke to him by telephone earlier today," the family friend, Frank Edohor, told AFP.
"We still do not have the details surrounding his release but he (Yusuf Onimisi) is in Abuja after his release and he is ok," added Edohor.
The case sparked concern from human rights groups, with Amnesty International on Friday urging the Nigerian security forces to disclose Onimisi's whereabouts.
The 32-year-old works for Nigeria's national electricity firm and was assigned to a sub-station within the presidential compound in Abuja.
The compound is near the Directorate of State Services (DSS) headquarters where the agency said there was an attempted jail break on March 30, sparking a gun battle that killed 21 detainees.
Reports suggested Boko Haram militants were among the detainees trying to escape, but there has been no official confirmation of the group's involvement.
Nigeria's security forces, including the secret police, have frequently cited national security concerns to justify arresting people who publish sensitive material.
DSS spokeswoman Marylin Ogar did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on Onimisi.
AFP