By Philippine Duru

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The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has  condemned the reported assault of Sunday Michael Ogwu, Editor of Pinnacle Daily, allegedly by police and Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) personnel in Lugbe, Abuja, and calls for a transparent, independent and impartial investigation into the incident.

The reported assault, including allegations of physical violence by the use of an electric cable and the destruction of Mr. Ogwu’s mobile phone, according to WSCIJ, are deeply troubling and represents a serious threat to press freedom, journalists’ safety and the fundamental right of citizens to document the conduct of public authorities.

The Centre said it is particularly concerned by the response of the FCT Police Command following the incident. “Rather than providing clear answers to the allegations of assault and identifying the officers involved and measures emplaced to discipline them, the Command’s statement of 21 August 2026 jumped to the conclusion that the assaulted journalist “declined to honour (police) invitation” to its Command Headquarters to make a statement, preferring rather “to circulate videos on social media, seemingly in an attempt to mobilise public sentiment.”

WSCIJ said it considers this approach worrisome, adding:  “A journalist who alleges that he was assaulted by security personnel should be able to seek medical attention, legal advice and support from professional or press freedom organisations without such actions being portrayed as an attempt

to obstruct an investigation or mobilise public sentiment. He also has the right under the law to publicly speak about his experience.

“Mr. Ogwu has reportedly since sought medical

attention for injuries sustained during the incident and indicated his willingness to honour the police invitation accompanied by his lawyers. The Centre urges the police to ensure that his engagement with the authorities is conducted in a manner that respects his rights, dignity, and safety.

The incident also reflects the broader challenges confronting journalists and citizens in Nigeria’s civic space.”

The statement said  WSCIJ’s 2025 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, Silenced Voices, Shrinking Space: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure, documented 245 incidents of violations affecting journalists and civic freedoms in 2025, including harassment, intimidation, arrests, assault and other forms of interference with journalists and citizens. Instructively, the Nigeria Police was the most implicated state agency documented in the Report.

“The latest incident reinforces the Report’s concern that attacks and restrictions on journalists are not isolated occurrences but part of a wider threat to the openness and accountability required for democracy to thrive. A free and safe civic space is indispensable to a functioning democracy, and journalists must be able to investigate, report and document matter of public interest without intimidation, violence or unlawful interference.

The Centre therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to place the investigation under an independent mechanism outside the command structure implicated in the allegation; establish which personnel and units were deployed to the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate on 19 August, 2026 and their mandate; and preserve and review relevantdeployment records, operational orders, patrol logs, CCTV footage, body-camera footage where available, and other evidence capable of establishing what occurred.

The Centre further called for appropriate accountability where wrongdoing is established, including an apology and compensation for Mr. Ogwu’s destroyed device and medical expenses arising from the alleged assault. Security and law enforcement agencies must also issue and enforce clear directives affirming the right of journalists to carry out legitimate reporting and document public operations without obstruction, seizure of equipment or physical harm.

“WSCIJ stands with Mr. Ogwu and all journalists facing threats or attacks in the course of their legitimate professional duties. The Centre reaffirms its commitment to strengthening investigative journalism, promoting accountability and advancing social justice, and calls for a free, safe and saner civic space where journalism, civic participation and democracy thrive.”