Police Arrest Osun NUJ Secretary

Concern has gripped media practitioners in Osun State following the reported arrest of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju, by police officers in Osogbo.

Akindoju was reportedly arrested at his residence on Thursday morning and taken away by policemen to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the NUJ in Osun State, Adeyemi Aboderin, in a message reportedly posted on the official WhatsApp platform of the union.

Aboderin, in the notice, said Akindoju’s apartment was allegedly raided by policemen before he was taken away.

“IMPORTANT NOTICE. Policemen reportedly arrested Hon.Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju at his residence on Thursday morning.

“His apartment was allegedly raided by policemen, and he was taken to the State CID, Osogbo. More details coming,” Daily Post quoted the statement as reading.

Speaking further, the NUJ chairman said the reason for Akindoju’s arrest had not been established.

He said he had contacted the Police Public Relations Officer in the state but had yet to get a clear explanation on the matter.

“Yet to ascertain the reason. I have gotten in touch with the PPRO. Reason for arrest not yet ascertained,” Aboderin said.

The Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of the NUJ, Daniel Odeyemi, also confirmed the development.

Akindoju is a member of the Rave FM Chapel.

Odeyemi said the journalist contacted the Head of Station on Thursday morning to report that police officers had arrived at his residence and were taking him away.

He said, “Lekan called the Head of Station this morning and said police officers stormed his house and they are taking him to the state CID.”

Odeyemi added that the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rave FM, Femi Adefila, had gone to the Osun State Police Command headquarters to make enquiries about the arrest.

According to him, Akindoju’s whereabouts were not immediately clear, as officials at the police command headquarters reportedly claimed they were not aware of where he had been taken.

Sources within the NUJ said attempts to reach Akindoju by telephone after the arrest were unsuccessful, increasing concern among journalists in the state.

However, Aboderin later issued an update, saying the union had traced Akindoju to the cells of the Police Public Relations Unit at the police headquarters.

He said, “UPDATE ON AKINDOJU’S. ARREST. We have been able to track him to the cells of Police PRU unit at the Police Headquarters.

“It was probably a case of mistaken identity.

“We’re working on his immediate release.

“Thanks for your concern.”

Naija News understands that the Osun State Police Command had yet to issue a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding Akindoju’s arrest or confirming the reason for his detention as of the time of filing this report.