NUJ, IPC secure police apology over Osun journalist’s arrest

Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and the International Press Centre, IPC, have secured an apology from the Osun State Police Command following the arrest and detention of the union’s secretary, Olalekan Akindoju.

The apology was conveyed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, during a live programme on Rave 91.7FM, where he spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Gotan.

DSP Ojelabi said the police command regretted the incident and had commenced an investigation into the conduct of the operatives involved in the operation. 

He extended the apology to Mr Akindoju, the Osun NUJ, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and journalists across the state.

“We apologise to Mr Akindoju, the NUJ, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and the entire journalism profession over the unlawful detention. The officers involved were already being investigated,” Ojelabi stated.

The apology followed widespread reactions to the arrest of Akindoju, who is also the Head of News and Current Affairs at Rave 91.7FM/WSTV. 

He was arrested at his residence in Osogbo in the early hours of June 11 by armed police operatives.

Narrating the incident, Akindoju said he was asleep when he heard unusual movements around his residence at about 6 a.m.

According to him, some individuals had jumped over the fence into his compound before identifying themselves as policemen.

He said the officers ignored his explanation that he was a journalist and disregarded his official identity card before arresting him. 

“I identified myself as a journalist and presented my identity card, but I was still arrested,” he recalled.

Akindoju added that his phone and identity card were confiscated before he was handcuffed and taken to the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo, where he remained in custody for several hours.

He was eventually released after interventions by colleagues, the NUJ and other concerned stakeholders. 

The police later explained that the arrest resulted from a case of mistaken identity during an operation targeting suspected criminals in the area.

The incident drew criticism from media organisations, civil society groups and advocates of press freedom, with many describing the detention as a violation of journalists’ rights and professional freedom.

Reacting to the development, the Osun NUJ described the arrest as unacceptable and demanded a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force to Akindoju, his family, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and the journalism profession for what it termed the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the incident.

Similarly, the IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists Hub, condemned the detention and called for measures to protect journalists from harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrests, while urging the police authorities to ensure accountability for officers involved in the operation.