The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has called for an independent investigation into the alleged assault of Sunday Michael Ogwu, Editor of Pinnacle Daily, by police and Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) personnel in Lugbe, Abuja.
Ogwu was reportedly assaulted during an incident on August 19, 2026, with allegations that security personnel used an electric cable on him and damaged his mobile phone.
In a statement, WSCIJ said the allegations were disturbing and raised fresh concerns about the safety of journalists and the right of citizens to record and report the activities of public authorities.
WSCIJ Faults Police Response
The Centre also questioned the response of the FCT Police Command to the incident.
According to WSCIJ, the Command said in its August 21 statement that Ogwu had “declined to honour” an invitation to its headquarters to give a statement, choosing instead to circulate videos on social media in what it described as an effort to mobilise public sentiment.
WSCIJ said that response was inappropriate, particularly when the journalist was the person alleging that he had been assaulted by security personnel.
The Centre said Ogwu should be allowed to seek medical attention, obtain legal advice and consult press freedom organisations without those actions being presented as an attempt to frustrate an investigation.
Ogwu has reportedly received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident and has indicated that he is willing to meet with the police with his lawyers present.
WSCIJ urged the police to ensure that any further engagement with the journalist respects his rights, dignity and safety.
Concerns Over Attacks on Journalists
The Centre linked the incident to the wider challenges faced by journalists and citizens in Nigeria’s civic space.
WSCIJ’s 2025 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, Silenced Voices, Shrinking Space: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure, recorded 245 incidents involving violations against journalists and civic freedoms in 2025.
The incidents documented in the report included harassment, intimidation, arrests, assault and other forms of interference.
The Nigeria Police was identified as the most implicated state agency in the report.
WSCIJ said the alleged assault in Lugbe should not be treated as an isolated matter, arguing that journalists need a safe environment to report issues of public interest without fear of violence or intimidation.
Centre Wants Evidence Preserved
WSCIJ called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to ensure that the investigation is handled by an independent mechanism outside the command allegedly involved in the incident.
It asked the authorities to identify the personnel and units deployed to the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate on August 19, including the purpose of their deployment.
The Centre also called for the preservation and review of deployment records, operational orders, patrol logs, CCTV footage and body-camera recordings where available.
According to WSCIJ, these records could help establish what happened and determine whether any security personnel acted improperly.
The Centre also called for accountability if wrongdoing is established, including an apology and compensation for Ogwu’s damaged phone and medical expenses arising from the alleged assault.
WSCIJ further urged security agencies to make it clear that journalists have the right to carry out legitimate reporting and document public operations without being obstructed, having their equipment seized or being subjected to physical harm.
The Centre said it would continue to support journalists facing threats and attacks in the course of their work, while advocating for a safer civic space where journalism and public participation can thrive.
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