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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 charge him before a competent court or release him without delay.
In a statement released on Saturday, IPI Nigeria expressed deep concern over reports that Ugagbe, a journalist with the online news platform Secret Reporters, was taken into custody by security agents shortly after the platform published an investigative report. Project reports
The global press freedom organization 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 indicates that Ugagbe was kidnapped by four unidentified men at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.
The organization quoted Secret Reporters publisher and editor-in-chief, Fejiro Oliver, as saying that Nigeria Police Force officers carried out the operation while Ugagbe was returning home from an official training programme.
Oliver said the officers later 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 unknown location.
He further revealed that efforts by the organisation’s legal team and journalists to trace Ugagbe were unsuccessful.
According to him, the team visited the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility, Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the force headquarters without locating him.
He added that other members of the organization also checked Jikwoyi and Karu police stations to check whether the operation had been officially documented, but no trace of his arrest was found.
Oliver said searches conducted at detention facilities at both police stations yielded no results.
The IPI condemns incommunicado detention
IPI Nigeria noted that at the time of issuing the statement, Ugagbe’s whereabouts remained unknown.
The organization condemned both the manner of his arrest and his detention without access to his family, lawyers or employer.
Denying the journalist and his family members access to legal representation is contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the fundamental rights of every citizen.
The organization expressed concern that despite the country’s numerous security challenges, security agencies continue to engage in unlawful arrests and detention practices that ignore due process and constitutional safeguards.
“Journalism is not a crime”
IPI Nigeria has warned against what it described as the growing criminalization of legitimate journalistic work by security agencies.
According to the organization, the use of arrests and intimidation against journalists during their professional duties threatens press freedom and weakens democratic institutions.
He added that such actions could also damage the democratic credentials and international reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The organization argues that a free and independent press remains indispensable for governance and democratic accountability.
Invite Tinubu, security agencies
IPI Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order relevant security agencies to immediately produce the journalist and reveal the legal basis for his arrest.
He also called for Ugagbe to be granted immediate access to his legal representatives and family members.
According to the organization, if there is credible evidence that the journalist has committed a crime, he should be immediately arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
If not, it should be released without further delay.
IPI Nigeria stressed that according to the Constitution of Nigeria and established principles of justice, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
He warned that prolonged detention without legal justification constitutes a serious violation of fundamental human rights.
Respect the rule of law, IPI tells police
The organization also 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.
He advised security agencies to refrain from intervening in matters of an essentially civil nature, stressing that individuals or institutions who consider themselves defamed by media reports have legal recourse through the courts.
According to IPI Nigeria, the use of illegal arrests, intimidation and detention in lieu of due process of law is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
Reiterating its commitment to protecting press freedom, the organization declared that journalism is not a crime and called for greater respect for media rights and constitutional guarantees that protect freedom of expression.
At the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Nigerian Police Force regarding the alleged arrest and whereabouts of Ugagbe.
