The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone D, has condemned the arrest and detention of the Editor of Kogi Reports, Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State, describing the action as a serious threat to press freedom and democratic governance.
The condemnation comes just days before the NUJ National Security Summit scheduled to hold from June 18 to 19, 2026, in Abuja where journalists, security experts, policymakers and stakeholders are expected to deliberate on security challenges, democratic accountability and the protection of civic freedoms.
In a statement signed by the Vice President of NUJ Zone D, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, the union expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s arrest, warning that the growing trend of intimidation against media practitioners poses a danger to democracy.
According to the statement, security agencies must not allow themselves to be used as instruments for settling political or personal scores, stressing that institutions funded by public resources are obligated to remain professional, impartial and guided by the rule of law.
“The responsibility of determining the accuracy of media reports does not fall within the statutory mandate of the NSCDC,” the statement noted. “Where individuals feel defamed or aggrieved by a publication, the courts remain the appropriate avenue for seeking redress.”
The union further urged politicians and public office holders to desist from using state institutions to intimidate journalists and citizens exercising their constitutional rights, emphasizing that freedom of expression and accountability remain essential pillars of democratic governance.
Describing the detention as a dangerous precedent, the NUJ warned that such actions could erode public trust in security institutions and weaken democratic values.
The union therefore called on the Commandant-General of the NSCDC to order an immediate investigation into the incident and ensure that any officer found to have acted outside professional standards is sanctioned accordingly.
Momoh jimoh reaffirmed the union’s commitment to defending press freedom, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of Nigerians, adding that the forthcoming NUJ Zone D Security Summit will provide a timely platform for robust discussions on the relationship between security agencies, the media and democratic accountability.
The incident has continued to generate reactions from media professionals and civil society organisations, many of whom insist that the protection of journalists is indispensable to Nigeria’s democratic development and national security
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