Osun Police Commissioner Apologies to NUJ Secretary Over Unlawful Detention

By Joseph Sunday 

The Osun State Police Command has apologized to the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju, following his unlawful arrest and detention by police operatives.

The apology was conveyed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, during a live programme on Rave 91.7FM.

DSP Ojelabi also said the police operatives who conducted the raid were being investigated.

Mr. Akindoju, who is also the Head of News and Current Affairs at Rave 91.7FM/WSTV, was arrested at his residence in Osogbo in the early hours of Thursday, June 11, 2026, by armed police operatives.

Narrating his ordeal, Mr. Akindoju said he was still in bed when he heard people jumping over the fence into his compound around 6 a.m. 

He said the operatives, who later identified themselves as policemen, forcefully approached his residence and arrested him despite identifying himself as a journalist and presenting his official identity card.

According to him, his phone and identity card were seized while he was handcuffed and taken to the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo.

Mr. Akindoju stated that he was detained for several hours before being released after interventions from colleagues, the NUJ and other stakeholders. 

He added that the police later claimed that his arrest resulted from mistaken identity during an operation targeting suspected criminals in the area.

The incident attracted widespread condemnation from journalists, civil society groups and media organisations.

Reacting to the development, the Osun State Council of the NUJ described the arrest and detention of its secretary as unacceptable.

The union consequently demanded an unreserved public apology from the Nigeria Police Force to Mr. Akindoju, his family, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and the journalism profession for the embarrassment, inconvenience and reputational damage caused by the incident.

Similarly, the International Press Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, condemned the detention and stressed the need to safeguard press freedom and protect journalists from harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrests.

The SPJ Hub also called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to investigate the incident and ensure that officers involved in the operation are held accountable.

However, speaking during a live broadcast on Rave 91.7FM, DSP Ojelabi formally apologised on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to Mr. Akindoju, the Osun NUJ, Rave 91.7FM/WSTV and journalists across the state for the unlawful detention.