The Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has strongly criticized the arrest of one of its members, Seun Odunlami, by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.
Odunlami, an online news publisher, was reportedly apprehended on Wednesday in a manner the union described as “shocking and unlawful.”
According to The PUNCH, the NUJ Secretary, Bunmi Adigun, the union expressed outrage at the arrest, which occurred near the NUJ Secretariat in Abeokuta.
“This unacceptable act, reminiscent of Gestapo tactics, was brazenly carried out in front of Providus Bank, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, just meters away from the Union’s Secretariat,” the statement read.
The union further compared the arrest to the military era, when journalists were routinely detained without cause.
“It is sad to see this kind of behavior in a democracy, where journalists should be free to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or unlawful detention.”
Eyewitnesses reported that Odunlami, the publisher of Newsjaunts, was arrested by plain-clothed officers who arrived in an unmarked vehicle and handcuffed him before taking him to an undisclosed location.
A colleague who witnessed the arrest said, “The gunmen arrived in a car, handcuffed Seun, and dragged him in. When I called him, he said they were from the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi.”
NUJ called for the immediate and unconditional release of Odunlami and demanded a full explanation for the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
“We demand an investigation into the actions of the police operatives involved and call for evidence of any wrongdoing,” Adigun said.
Odunlami’s whereabouts were initially unknown, and all attempts to reach him by phone were unsuccessful.
However, according to NUJ Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, contact has since been established with the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, which confirmed that Odunlami was in their custody and would likely be arraigned soon.
The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Omolola Odutola, stated that no official complaint regarding Odunlami’s arrest had been made but assured that the command would investigate to locate the journalist.
The NUJ reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of journalists and ensuring that Odunlami receives a fair and just process.
“We stand in solidarity with his family and colleagues, and we urge the authorities to intervene swiftly to ensure his safe return,” the union said in its statement.
