The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has publicly apologised over the unlawful arrest and detention of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Lekan Akindoju, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident.
The apology comes amid growing outrage over the arrest of Akindoju, an editor with Rave FM, who was allegedly harassed, handcuffed and detained by armed police officers in a controversial operation that has drawn widespread condemnation from journalists and civil society groups.
Akindoju said armed officers, believed to be attached to the command’s Prompt Response Unit, stormed his residence in Osogbo at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, and whisked him away without any explanation.
According to him, the officers pointed guns at him, subjected him to intimidation and later claimed the arrest was a mistake after detaining him for about five hours. He was eventually released following the intervention of concerned stakeholders.
The journalist further alleged that a neighbour arrested alongside him was compelled to pay N77,000 before regaining freedom, raising concerns over alleged extortion by the officers involved.
The incident sparked a wave of criticism from the NUJ and other stakeholders, who demanded accountability, the identification and prosecution of the officers responsible, and the refund of the alleged extorted money.
Speaking during a television programme, the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Abiodun Ojelabi, conveyed the apology on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, describing the incident as regrettable.
Ojelabi disclosed that the apology was issued on the directive of the police commissioner and assured that investigations were already underway to uncover the identities of the officers involved.
He further stated that those found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures, stressing the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.
The development has been welcomed by members of the media community, who insist that the outcome of the investigation will determine the sincerity of the police command’s commitment to justice and accountability.
