NUJ and IPC Obtain Police Apology for Osun Journalist’s Arrest

The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have obtained an apology from the Osun State Police Command after the arrest and detention of the union’s secretary, Olalekan Akindoju.

The apology was delivered by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on a live programme on Rave 91.7FM, speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan.

DSP Ojelabi said the police command regretted the incident and had begun an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved in the operation.

He extended the apology to Mr Akindoju, the Osun NUJ, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and journalists throughout the state.

“We apologise to Mr Akindoju, the NUJ, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and the entire journalism profession over the unlawful detention. The officers involved are already being investigated,” Ojelabi stated.

The apology followed widespread reactions to Akindoju’s arrest. He is also the Head of News and Current Affairs at Rave 91.7FM/WSTV.

He was taken into custody at his Osogbo residence in the early hours of June 11 by armed police operatives.

Akindoju recounted that he was asleep when he heard unusual movements around his home at about 6 a.m.

He said that some individuals had jumped over the fence into his compound before identifying themselves as policemen.

He added that the officers ignored his explanation that he was a journalist and disregarded his official identity card before arresting him.

“I identified myself as a journalist and presented my identity card, but I was still arrested,” he recalled.

Akindoju said his phone and identity card were confiscated before he was handcuffed and taken to the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo, where he remained in custody for several hours.

He was eventually released after interventions by colleagues, the NUJ and other concerned stakeholders.

The police later explained that the arrest was the result of a case of mistaken identity during an operation targeting suspected criminals in the area.

The incident drew criticism from media organisations, civil society groups and press‑freedom advocates, many of whom described the detention as a violation of journalists’ rights and professional freedom.

Responding to the development, the Osun NUJ described the arrest as unacceptable and demanded a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force to Akindoju, his family, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and the journalism profession for the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the incident.

Similarly, the IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists Hub, condemned the detention and called for measures to protect journalists from harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrests, while urging the police authorities to ensure accountability for the officers involved in the operation.