The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the alleged abduction and continued detention of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately disclose his whereabouts and either charge him before a competent court or release him without delay.
In a statement issued on Saturday, IPI Nigeria expressed deep concern over reports that Ugagbe, a journalist with the online news platform Secret Reporters, was allegedly taken into custody by security operatives shortly after the platform published an investigative report.
The global press freedom organisation described the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s arrest and subsequent detention as disturbing, warning that such actions undermine press freedom, the rule of law and Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
Alleged arrest after investigative report
According to IPI Nigeria, preliminary information indicated that Ugagbe was abducted by four unidentified men from his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.
The organisation cited the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Secret Reporters, Mr. Fejiro Oliver, who alleged that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force carried out the operation while Ugagbe was returning home from an official training programme.
Oliver claimed that the officers subsequently took the journalist to his residence in Jikwoyi, where they searched his room and confiscated his official laptop and mobile phone before taking him to an undisclosed location.
He further disclosed that efforts by the organisation’s legal team and journalists to trace Ugagbe proved unsuccessful.
According to him, the team visited the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the Force Headquarters without locating him.
He added that other members of the organisation also checked the Jikwoyi and Karu police stations to determine whether the operation had been officially documented, but no record of his arrest was found.
Oliver said searches conducted at detention facilities in both police stations equally yielded no results.
IPI condemns incommunicado detention
IPI Nigeria noted that as of the time the statement was issued, Ugagbe’s whereabouts remained unknown.
The organisation condemned both the manner of his arrest and his reported detention without access to his family, lawyers or employer.
It said denying the journalist access to legal representation and his relatives runs contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the fundamental rights of every citizen.
The organisation expressed concern that despite the country’s numerous security challenges, security agencies continue to engage in unlawful arrests and detention practices that disregard due process and constitutional safeguards.
‘Journalism is not a crime’
IPI Nigeria warned against what it described as the growing criminalisation of legitimate journalistic work by security agencies.
According to the organisation, the use of arrests and intimidation against journalists over their professional duties threatens press freedom and weakens democratic institutions.
It added that such actions also have the potential to damage the democratic credentials and international reputation of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The organisation maintained that a free and independent press remains indispensable to democratic governance and accountability.
Calls on Tinubu, security agencies
IPI Nigeria called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the relevant security agencies to immediately produce the journalist and disclose the legal basis for his arrest.
It also demanded that Ugagbe be granted immediate access to his legal representatives and family members.
According to the organisation, if there is credible evidence that the journalist committed any offence, he should be promptly arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Otherwise, it said, he should be released without further delay.
IPI Nigeria stressed that under Nigeria’s Constitution and established principles of justice, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
It warned that prolonged detention without lawful justification amounts to a grave violation of fundamental human rights.
Respect rule of law, IPI tells police
The organisation further urged the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies to ensure that officers under their command respect the rule of law in carrying out their duties.
It advised security agencies to refrain from intervening in matters that are essentially civil in nature, noting that individuals or institutions who consider themselves defamed by media reports have legal remedies through the courts.
According to IPI Nigeria, resorting to arrests, intimidation and unlawful detention instead of due legal process has no place in a constitutional democracy.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of press freedom, the organisation declared that journalism is not a crime and called for greater respect for media rights and the constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of expression.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Nigeria Police Force regarding the alleged arrest and whereabouts of Ugagbe.