Abuja, Nigeria — The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing pattern of intimidation and unlawful detention of journalists in Nigeria, calling for the immediate release of detained reporter, Stanley Ugabe.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Deputy Director of Journalism Programme, Busola Ajibola, the organisation condemned recent incidents involving journalists who were allegedly abducted, blindfolded, and detained by security operatives in a bid to extract information about their sources.
CJID cited cases including that of a journalist who was reportedly “taken by heavily armed men, blindfolded, and flown to an underground military cell in Abuja,” as well as the arrest of FIJ reporter Daniel Ojukwu, who was allegedly abducted in Lagos by the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and held incommunicado before being transferred to Abuja over a cybercrime petition.
The organisation said such actions reflect a sustained hostility toward the press and sharply contradict earlier assurances by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who had pledged to uphold press freedom and end harassment of media professionals upon assuming office.
“The commando-style abduction of Mr. Ugabe makes a mockery of this pledge,” the statement read, adding that journalists should be treated as professionals deserving of respect, not targets of intimidation.
CJID maintained that journalism is not a crime and stressed that the role of the media in holding government accountable is protected under the Nigerian Constitution.
The group further urged authorities to channel grievances against journalists through appropriate mechanisms such as media ombudsman platforms, rather than resorting to arrests and detention.
To address the situation, CJID called on the police leadership to take immediate steps, including ordering the unconditional release of Stanley Ugabe, withdrawing the summons issued to Tega Oghenedoro over allegations linked to espionage and cyber-related offences, and halting what it described as the weaponisation of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and the Cybercrime Act against journalists.
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The organisation also demanded a thorough investigation into the officers involved in the alleged abduction of Ugabe, insisting that those found culpable must be held accountable for violating operational guidelines and fundamental human rights.
CJID reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media professionals to carry out their duties without fear of harassment or persecution.
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