The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the arrest and detention of the editor of Kogi Reports, Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State, describing the action as a dangerous precedence capable of undermining press freedom.
According to the union, the statutory responsibilities of the NSCDC do not include scrutinising news reports, determining the correctness of journalistic content or detaining journalists over publications involving public office holders.
In a statement signed by the vice president of Zone D (North Central) of NUJ, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh in Lokaja, the union expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the arrest, saying they raised serious questions about the role of security agencies in a democratic society and the protection of press freedom guaranteed under the Constitution.
He cautioned the Kogi State command of the NSCDC against allowing itself to be used by aggrieved politicians or individuals to settle personal or political scores, stressing that security agencies funded by taxpayers must remain professional, impartial and guided strictly by the law.
The union maintained that individuals who feel defamed or aggrieved by media reports have established legal channels through which they can seek redress.
It also advised politicians and public office holders to refrain from deploying publicly funded security agencies to harass, intimidate or silence citizens, particularly journalists carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public.
“Democracy thrives on accountability, transparency and the free exchange of ideas, not on intimidation and abuse of state institutions,” the statement noted.
The NUJ Zone D strongly condemned what it described as the actions of the NSCDC in Kogi State, warning that such conduct could erode public confidence in security institutions and weaken democratic values.
The union consequently called on the Commandant-General of the NSCDC to immediately investigate the matter and call the Kogi State Command to order, urging that any officer found to have acted outside the law or established professional standards should be sanctioned accordingly.
Momohjimoh reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Zone D, to defending press freedom, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of citizens, while urging all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and ensure that no journalist is persecuted for carrying out legitimate professional duties.
Similarly , the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) has equally condemned the reported arrest and detention of the Editor of Kogi Reports, Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State.
In a statement issued by the Executive Director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu, the organization described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable in a democratic society.
According to Aliyu, the media plays a constitutional and civic role in informing the public, asking questions, reporting matters of public interest, and holding institutions and public officials accountable.
