Anxiety has gripped media circles in Osun State following the arrest of Olalekan Akindoju, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, by police officers at his residence in Osogbo on Thursday morning.
The development was confirmed by the NUJ Chairman, Osun State Council, Adeyemi Aboderin*, in a notice posted on the union’s official WhatsApp platform.
Aboderin said police officers allegedly raided Akindoju’s apartment before taking him to the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Osogbo.
“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,” he wrote.
“Yet to ascertain the reason. I have gotten in touch with the PPRO. Reason for arrest not yet ascertained.”
Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of NUJ where Akindoju works, also confirmed the incident. He said Akindoju called the station’s Head of Station to report that officers had stormed his house and were taking him to the State CID.
Odeyemi added that the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of Rave FM, Mr. Femi Adefila, had gone to the Osun State Police Command headquarters over the matter. He noted that Akindoju’s whereabouts were initially unknown as authorities at the command headquarters claimed not to be aware of his detention.
Sources within the NUJ said all attempts to reach Akindoju by telephone after the arrest were unsuccessful.
In a follow-up update, Chairman Aboderin said the union had tracked Akindoju to the cells of the Police PRU unit at the Police Headquarters in Osogbo.
” 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,” Aboderin stated.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time. The Command is yet to issue a statement explaining the circumstances that led to Akindoju’s arrest or confirming the reasons for his detention.
The incident has sparked concern among journalists and media stakeholders in the state, with calls for transparency and immediate clarification from the police.
