Ogun NUJ Secretary’s Arrest Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Police Vendetta

What began as a civic effort to curb indecent activities near the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta has snowballed into a controversy over alleged Police abuse of power, following the arrest and detention of the Ogun NUJ Secretary, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, by the Area Commander of Zone 2, ACP Ogundele Olorunwa.

Adigun, who had sought Police help to restore order around the Union’s Secretariat at Oke-Ilewo, narrated how his request for assistance turned into a nightmare.

Instead of addressing the reported nuisance by individuals, particularly night workers who had taken over the area, he found himself behind bars.

According to the journalist, the ordeal began after he alerted the Police to a woman causing repeated disturbances around the Secretariat.

However, the situation escalated when the Area Commander allegedly accused him of sharing a story by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) that mentioned the officer’s name.

“I was arrested for doing the right thing,” Adigun said. “The Area Commander turned a civic complaint into a personal vendetta. He detained me for hours, interrogated me over my Facebook posts, and forced me to write a statement. This is not law enforcement; it’s abuse of power.”

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation within the Ogun State NUJ Council, which described it as a “flagrant violation of human rights and a shameful misuse of authority.”

In a statement signed by the NUJ Chairman, Comrade ‘Wale Olanrewaju, the union called for an immediate probe and disciplinary action against the Area Commander, insisting that no journalist should be subjected to such intimidation.

“Our Secretary was unlawfully detained for seeking police support to address a public nuisance. This conduct is unprofessional and vindictive,” the NUJ said. “We demand a full investigation to protect the integrity of the police and the rights of citizens.”

The Union also revealed that ACP Olorunwa is already facing a petition before the CDHR, raising further questions about his conduct. It urged the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, to act swiftly to restore public trust and uphold police ethics.

“We respect the police institution, but we cannot overlook misconduct,” the statement continued. “The action of one officer should not stain the reputation of the entire command. Justice must be served.”

The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and vowed to pursue the matter until accountability is achieved.

“This is beyond one individual — it’s about the sanctity of press freedom and the rule of law,” the Council declared. “We stand firmly with Comrade Adigun. No journalist should face detention for exercising civic responsibility.”

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