NUJ condemns Ogun journalist’s arrest, demands his immediate release

By Taiwo Bankole

The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned the arrest of one of its members, Seun Odunlami, by operatives of the Nigeria Police from Lagos state police command.

The union disclosed this in a statement signed by its Secretary, Bunmi Adigun and made available to journalists on Thursday describing the arrest as “shocking and unlawful.

The NUJ said that the Gestapo manner in which Odunlami was picked up on Wednesday by plain-clothed officers very close to the Secretariat of the union is a sad reminiscent of the better-forgotten-military era when journalists were hounded into detention at any slight provocation albeit unfounded allegations.

Odunlami said to be the publisher of Newsjaunts online was reportedly arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the Lagos State Police command.

The statement partly reads “This unacceptable act, reminiscent of Gestapo tactics, was brazenly carried out in front of Providus Bank, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, a few meters away from the Union’s Secretariat, Iwe Irohin Press Centre, by plain-clothed officers in the presence of some of his colleagues before being whisked away to an unknown destination with an unmarked bus while all his phones have since been switched off.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Seun Odunlami, a detailed explanation for the circumstances surrounding his abduction, as well as an investigation into the actions of the police operatives involved.

“The police must also provide evidence of any wrongdoing or prima facie case against him, as this unacceptable commando-like arrest threatens the very fabric of fundamental rights of journalists in Nigeria.

“The NUJ Ogun State Council stands in solidarity with Seun Odunlami’s family and colleagues, who are understandably distraught and concerned for his safety.

“We urge all relevant authorities to intervene and ensure Seun Odunlami’s safe return while the NUJ will continue to advocate for the protection of journalists’ rights and the rule of law in Nigeria,” the statement read.

A colleague who was with Odunlami when he was arrested but chose to speak under the condition of anonymity said that the journalist was arrested at about 1:00 pm outside Providus Bank, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

The colleague said, “The gunmen arrived in a car, handcuffed Seun, and dragged him in and when I called him on the phone, he said they were from the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi”.

The reason behind the journalist’s arrest is still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola, said that no official report has been made against the arrest of the journalist but that the command will swing into action to help locate his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ogun NUJ, Wale Olanrewaju, said that with the kind assistance of the state police command, the union has established contact with the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos and they have confirmed that the journalist is with them and might be arraigned either today or tomorrow in court.