The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the alleged assault of Sunday Ogwu, editor of Pinnacle Daily, and demanded an immediate investigation into the conduct of police operatives during a demolition exercise in Lugbe, Abuja.

A statement issued on 20 August and signed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on behalf of the coalition, said Mr Ogwu was on Wednesday attacked by officers attached to the Lugbe Police Division and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and was allegedly harassed, flogged and had his mobile phone damaged while documenting the operation.

According to the statement, Mr Ogwu was taking a walk around the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate at about 5:30 p.m. when he came across a joint demolition operation involving four Hilux patrol vans marked “Lugbe Police Division” and VGN personnel.

It said a police officer allegedly seized Mr Ogwu’s phone after he attempted to document the operation.

Mr Ogwu reportedly identified himself as a journalist and sought to speak with the leader of the team. However, the coalition alleged that the officers ordered him into a patrol van alongside some local youths who had been arrested.

When he declined, saying he was a journalist and not a criminal, he was allegedly flogged with an electric cable on the instruction of the officer in charge.

Second alleged assault

The CWPPF said the phone was later returned to Mr Ogwu and he was asked to leave the area.

But after walking about 100 metres away, Mr Ogwu allegedly began recording a video of the incident and attempted to send a distress message to his media organisation.

The police officers allegedly pursued him, dragged him back to the demolition site and subjected him to another round of flogging.

The coalition said the officer in charge ordered the second assault, saying the initial beating “was not enough”.

It added that Mr Ogwu sustained injuries and that his phone was severely damaged during the incident. Passers-by reportedly intervened and urged him to leave the area for his safety.

Call for investigation

The coalition described the alleged conduct of the officers as “unprovoked brutality and lawlessness”, stressing that documenting public operations carried out by state agents is a constitutionally protected right.

“Journalism is not a crime,” the statement said, adding that the attack undermined Nigeria’s press freedom commitments and contradicted public assurances by police authorities on human rights and media freedom.

The group called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to immediately investigate the incident and identify, arrest and discipline the police officers and VGN personnel involved.

It also demanded compensation for Mr Ogwu’s damaged phone, payment of his medical expenses, and a public apology to him and the management of Pinnacle Daily.

The CWPPF further urged police divisions across the FCT to halt the intimidation, harassment and physical assault of journalists covering public events.

The coalition, which comprises media organisations, civil society groups and law firms, said it remained committed to promoting a safe environment for journalists to carry out their constitutional duties without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

About CWPPF

The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom is a network of media organisations, civil society groups and law firms working to advance democracy, good governance and accountability in Nigeria. It promotes the protection of whistleblowers, freedom of expression and press freedom, while advocating a safer environment for journalists and other citizens who speak out in the public interest.

Its members include leading media and civic organisations including:Premium Times, Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation, Daily Trust Newspaper, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Civic Media Lab, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), International Press Centre (IPC) and International Press Institute (IPI-Nigria Chapter).

Others are Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Paradigm Initiative, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), HEDA Resources Centre, WikkiTimes, Global Rights, Dataphyte Foundation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, FOLEGAL, Women Radio 91.7 FM, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, BUK TV & RADIO, The Jurist Newspaper Limited, Freedom Radio, Kano, Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, Hope Behind Bars Africa, Digicivic Initiative, Pinnacle Daily, Gatefield, DigiCivic Initiative, Enough is Enough (EIE).