NUJ Zone D Condemns Arrest, Detention of Kogi Reports Editor, Urges NSCDC to Respect Constitutional Limits
The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone D (North Central), Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, has expressed deep concern over the reported arrest and detention of the Publisher and Editor of Kogi Reports, Mr. Opeyemi Owoeye, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Momohjimoh described the circumstances surrounding the arrest as troubling and capable of raising serious concerns about the role of security agencies in a democratic society, particularly regarding the protection of press freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The NUJ Zone D stated that the Kogi State Command of the NSCDC must not allow itself to be used as a tool by aggrieved politicians or individuals seeking to settle personal or political grievances.
According to the union, security agencies established and funded by the Nigerian people are expected to remain professional, impartial, and strictly guided by the provisions of the law.
“The mandate of the NSCDC is clearly defined by the Act establishing the agency. Scrutinising news reports, determining the accuracy of journalistic content, and detaining journalists over reports involving public office holders do not form part of the statutory responsibilities of the Corps,” the statement noted.
The union stressed that individuals who feel defamed or aggrieved by any publication have legitimate legal channels through which they can seek redress, rather than resorting to the use of security agencies to intimidate journalists.
The NUJ also cautioned politicians and public office holders against deploying publicly funded security institutions to harass, intimidate, or silence citizens, particularly journalists carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public.
It maintained that democracy flourishes where accountability, transparency, and the free exchange of ideas are encouraged, not where intimidation and abuse of state institutions are tolerated.
Describing the action of the NSCDC in Kogi State as unacceptable, the union warned that such conduct could set a dangerous precedent capable of undermining press freedom and eroding public confidence in security institutions.
Consequently, the NUJ Zone D called on the Commandant-General of the NSCDC to immediately investigate the matter and ensure that the Kogi State Command operates within the bounds of its constitutional and statutory mandate.
The union further urged that any officer found to have acted outside the law or professional standards should be appropriately sanctioned.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom, the rule of law, and the constitutional rights of citizens, the NUJ called on all stakeholders to uphold democratic values and ensure that no journalist is victimised for carrying out legitimate professional duties.
