The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) on Thursday welcomed the release of Tim Elombah, the editor of Elombah.com after 25 days of unlawful detention by the Police.

Tim and his brothers were arrested in the wee hours of January 1, 2018 by men and officers of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria police.

The Premier organisation of Nigeria’s online journalists in a statement issued after the release of Tim Elombah via an order of an FCT Abuja high court said they expect the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, to immediately inform Nigerians under what charges the Elombah brothers were arrested and detained.

“We trust that the judiciary will address whatever injustices suffered by the innocent citizens,” OPAN said in the statement signed by its President, Austin Oganah.

“We also hope that the publisher, Daniel Elombah, will be able to travel back to his base in the United Kingdom immediately to rejoin his family.”

“We expect the authorities to henceforth respect the inalienable right of every Nigerian to freedom of speech and expression and call on all Nigerians to join us and stand firm against any flagrant abuse of these fundamental rights without excuses,” the statement concluded.