The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it described as the illegal detention of its Council Secretary, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, by the Area Commander of Zone 2, Abeokuta, ACP Ogundele Olorunwa.

In a statement signed by the State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, the union expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as “a brazen abuse of power and disregard for the rule of law by a senior police officer.”

According to the statement, Comrade Adigun was detained for several hours on Tuesday, October 21, until the early hours of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after he sought police intervention to restore order around the NUJ Secretariat in Abeokuta.

The area surrounding the secretariat, the union said, has recently become overrun by individuals, including commercial sex workers, engaging in activities that compromise public safety and the integrity of the profession.

The statement alleged that instead of assisting in restoring order, ACP Olorunwa ordered Adigun’s detention after discovering that he had previously shared a Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) report against him on social media.

“Shockingly, rather than supporting our efforts to maintain law and order, the Area Commander chose to detain our Union Secretary for hours after checking his Facebook account and realising he had shared a CDHR story against him. He immediately ordered his detention, a clear case of abuse of power,” the statement read.

The NUJ described the act as “a disturbing example of policing gone wrong, one that prioritises personal vendetta over professionalism, public safety, and justice.”

The union further noted that the Area Commander allegedly has a pending case before the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), which, according to the NUJ, raises additional concerns about his conduct.

“This growing number of complaints against the Area Commander necessitates immediate attention and decisive action to protect the integrity of the police force,” the statement added.

While acknowledging its cordial relationship with the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, the NUJ called on him to take swift disciplinary action against the officer involved and ensure that justice is served.

“As a matter of urgency, we call on the Commissioner of Police to investigate this incident thoroughly. Ogun NUJ deserves better cooperation from law enforcement agencies as we strive to maintain order and safety around our secretariat,” the statement said.

The union reiterated its solidarity with Comrade Adigun and reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and protecting journalists from harassment, intimidation, or unlawful detention.

“We demand an immediate investigation into Comrade Adigun’s illegal detention and into the conduct of the Area Commander. We also urge the Ogun State Government and security agencies to reaffirm their commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists,” the statement concluded.

The NUJ vowed not to relent until the Area Commander is held accountable for his alleged abuse of authority.