The Nigeria Police Force has said the officials from the National Cybercrime Center arrested one Bristol Tamunobiefiri, also known as PIDOM, for allegedly undermining the integrity of government operations.
Tamunobiefiri operates as an anonymous whistleblower on X.com, 99% Oppressed, and tweets as #PIDOMNIGERIA.
The police said PIDOMNigeria was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State.
On Thursday night, Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin raised an alarm over the possible abduction and death of an anonymous investigative journalist on X, known as @PIDOMNIGERIA, allegedly by top tier security operatives in Nigeria.
PACESETTER reports that Hundeyin’s detailed revelation threw Nigerians into shock, prompting the trending of the #FREEPIDOMNIGERIA and #WHEREISPIDOM hashtags on X, formerly Twitter.
In a statement on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police said other allegations against PIDOMNigeria are unlawful possession, leakages of classified documents, and cyber-related offences.
Adejobi said, “In a well-coordinated effort, officials from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre apprehended Bristol Isaac Tamunobiefiri, also known as PIDOM, on allegations of committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations. The arrest took place on August 5, 2024, in his hotel room in Rivers State.
“There are several allegations levelled against the suspect, including unlawful possession, leakages of classified documents, cyber-related offences, and others.”
Adejobi assured all that a painstaking investigation would be conducted into the allegations against PIDOM.
He said, “We will do due diligence in carrying out a thorough investigation into the cases.
“The force will leave no stone unturned to continually enforce the law and bequeath to Nigerians a more secure nation.”
Earlier PACESETTER published full details of the disappearance and now confirmed arrest of PIDOMNigeria as revealed by Hundeyin and FIJ
Pacesetter/Punch