The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the alleged assault, harassment and destruction of the mobile phone of the Editor of Pinnacle Daily, Sunday Michael Ogwu, by police operatives during a demolition exercise in Lugbe, Abuja.
The coalition said that Ogwu was flogged with an electric cable after he attempted to document the demolition exercise with his mobile phone on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 20, CWPPF said the incident involved officers of the Lugbe Police Division and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), describing the alleged assault as a serious attack on press freedom and the right of journalists to carry out their professional duties.
According to an account provided by Ogwu to the coalition, the incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. around the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate, where a joint demolition operation was underway.
The operation, according to the statement, involved about four Hilux patrol vans bearing the inscription “Lugbe Police Division” and VGN members identifiable by their brown outfits and logos.
Ogwu reportedly brought out his mobile phone to document the exercise when a police officer allegedly seized the device without warning.
The journalist, who repeatedly identified himself as a media practitioner, reportedly attempted to speak with the team leader.
However, CWPPF said that police officers surrounded him, while some local youths were arrested and Ogwu was ordered to enter a patrol van.
When he refused, explaining that he was a journalist and not a criminal, the coalition alleged that the officers flogged him with an electric cable on the instruction of the officer in charge.
Second beating allegedly followed distress recording
The coalition said the alleged assault continued after Ogwu’s phone was returned and he was instructed to leave the area.
According to the statement, the journalist walked about 100 metres away and began recording a video documenting the alleged assault while attempting to send a distress message to his media organisation.
CWPPF stated that the officers noticed him recording again, pursued him and dragged him back to the demolition site.
The journalist was allegedly subjected to a second round of flogging, with the coalition claiming that the officer in charge ordered the assault and declared that the first beating “was not enough.”
Passersby subsequently intervened and urged Ogwu to leave the area for his safety.
The coalition said the assault left the journalist physically injured and caused severe damage to his mobile phone.
Coalition says attack threatens press freedom
CWPPF described the conduct of the police operatives and VGN members as “unprovoked brutality and lawlessness.”
The coalition said it was particularly disturbing that officers responsible for maintaining law and order would allegedly resort to violence against a journalist documenting a public operation.
It maintained that documenting public operations conducted by state agents is a legitimate journalistic activity and should not be treated as a criminal offence.
“Journalism is not a crime,” the coalition said, stressing that the press has a constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable.
CWPPF further alleged that the incident contradicts assurances by police leadership regarding respect for human rights and press freedom.
The coalition specifically referred to CSP Uchenna and his team in its statement and called for an investigation into their alleged involvement.
IGP, FCT police urged to investigate
The coalition called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to order an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident.
It wants the police officers and VGN personnel involved identified, arrested and disciplined where found culpable.
CWPPF is also demanding full compensation for Ogwu’s damaged mobile phone and payment of medical expenses incurred as a result of the alleged assault.
It further called for a formal public apology to Ogwu and the management of Pinnacle Daily over what it described as the unlawful attack and destruction of the journalist’s property.
The coalition also wants the police authorities to direct all divisions across the FCT to immediately stop the intimidation, harassment and physical assault of journalists covering public events.
Coalition warns against intimidation of journalists
CWPPF said the Lugbe incident highlights broader concerns about the safety of journalists covering public operations, particularly activities involving security agencies.
It argued that journalists must be able to document events of public interest without fear of physical assault, intimidation, seizure of equipment or retaliation.
The coalition reiterated its commitment to ensuring a free and safe environment for journalists to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without fear of harassment or intimidation.
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The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom is made up of media organisations, civil society groups and law firms committed to democracy, good governance, whistleblower protection, freedom of expression and press freedom.
Its members include Premium Times, Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation, Daily Trust Newspaper, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, African Centre for Media & Information Literacy, Civic Media Lab, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, International Press Centre, International Press Institute Nigeria Chapter, Media Rights Agenda, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Paradigm Initiative, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, HEDA Resources Centre, WikkiTimes, Global Rights, Dataphyte Foundation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, FOLEGAL, Women Radio 91.7 FM, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, BUK TV & Radio, The Jurist Newspaper Limited, Freedom Radio Kano, Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, Hope Behind Bars Africa, DigiCivic Initiative, Pinnacle Daily, Gatefield and Enough is Enough.
The statement was signed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on behalf of CWPPF on August 20, 2026.
When contacted by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) to confirm the incident, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the officers allegedly involved could not have been attached to the FCT Police Command.
Adeh explained that the police “don’t even get involved in demolitions,” adding that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was the appropriate authority to contact regarding the exercise.
The FCT Police Command’s reported position that the officers could not have been its personnel makes a full investigation even more urgent.
Until the identities of the officers, the command structure and the circumstances surrounding the operation are established, significant questions remain unanswered.
And at the heart of those questions is a fundamental issue for Nigerian democracy, can a journalist document the actions of those exercising public power without becoming a target himself?
In May, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) documented at least 91 journalists who had been arrested, physically attacked or harassed across Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Abuja recorded the highest number of incidents, with 30 journalists targeted, including six arrests, 22 physical attacks and three harassment cases.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.