The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, has condemned the alleged abduction, secret detention and torture of journalist Stanley Ugabe by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF NCCC, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the organisation alleged that Ugabe, a journalist with Secrets Reporters, has been held for six days without any formal public communication from the police regarding his arrest or detention.
According to the statement signed by the Deputy Director, Journalism Programme at CJID, Mrs. Busola Ajibola, the journalist was allegedly abducted on Wednesday, July 1, at about 6.30 pm from his residence in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja.
CJID alleged that four armed men dressed in plain clothes arrived in an unmarked Mitsubishi Pajero Sports Utility Vehicle with tinted windows before taking him away.
The organisation said that after several days during which the Guzape Police Division reportedly denied having him in custody, it later emerged that Ugabe had been blindfolded, held at a secret location and subsequently transferred to the headquarters of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
It said the detention was linked to two petitions allegedly filed by an aggrieved public official and an undisclosed private individual over the journalist’s published reports.
CJID said the development was confirmed by the Publisher of Secrets Reporters, Mr. Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, during a telephone conversation with the organisation.
The media rights organisation also expressed concern over a fresh invitation issued by the police to Oghenedoro.
According to CJID, the invitation letter dated July 6 and seen by the organisation stated that the police were investigating allegations of espionage, cyberstalking and computer related offences in which the publisher’s name allegedly featured prominently.
The letter directed Oghenedoro to report to the National Cybercrime Centre on Wednesday, July 8, at 10 am for an interview.
CJID described the actions of the police as disturbing, saying they resembled the tactics used by kidnappers and criminal gangs.
The organisation argued that at a time when Nigerians are battling rising insecurity, kidnappings and banditry, security agencies should not carry out arrests in a manner that creates fear and confusion among members of the public.
It also alleged that the use of plain clothes operatives, unmarked vehicles, blindfolding suspects and holding them without access to family members or lawyers weakens public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
CJID further claimed that the incident reflected a continued crackdown on journalists through the use of the Cybercrime Act.
According to the organisation, its Press Attack Tracker documented at least 50 verified cases involving attacks or unlawful detention of 45 journalists and media workers during the tenure of former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
It alleged that the Cybercrime Act has repeatedly been used to intimidate investigative journalists and suppress press freedom.
The organisation also compared Ugabe’s arrest with the 2024 cases involving journalists Segun Olatunji and Daniel Ojukwu, who were also allegedly abducted and detained over their journalistic work.
CJID said the latest incident contradicts the commitment made by the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to promote press freedom, respect human rights and improve relations between the police and the media.
The organisation maintained that where there are complaints against journalists or media organisations, such matters should be referred to the appropriate media accountability mechanisms instead of resorting to arrests and detention.
CJID called on the Inspector General of Police to order the immediate and unconditional release of Ugabe, withdraw the invitation issued to Oghenedoro, stop the alleged use of the Cybercrime Act against journalists and investigate officers involved in the operation.
The statement in parts, “We reiterate firmly that journalism is not a crime and that the duty of the press to hold the government accountable and expose corruption is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. We therefore call on IGP Tunji Disu to immediately walk his talk by: Ordering the immediate and unconditional release of Stanley Ugabe.
“Withdrawing the summons against Tega Oghenedoro especially because it associates his work with Espionage, Cyberstalking and Computer related Offences.
“Halting the continuous weaponisation of the NPF-NCCC and the Cybercrime Act against journalists.
“Instituting a probe into the officers who carried out this abduction and holding them accountable for violating police operational guidelines and the fundamental human rights of the journalist.
“CJID remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for journalists and media professionals to discharge their duties as guaranteed by the law.”
