The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the alleged assault, harassment and intimidation of three journalists during an official enforcement exercise in Igbesa, Ogun State, describing the incident as a serious attack on press freedom and democratic values.
The journalists identified as Taiwo Fabajo of Ogun State Television (OGTV), Bidemi Bello of Channels Television and Gbenga Osinuga were reportedly attacked on June 3, 2026, while carrying out their professional duties.
In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Adewunmi Adesina, the human rights organisation alleged that the journalists were assaulted by private security operatives attached to a Chinese company operating in the Ogunguandong area of Ogun State.
The group described the incident as a grave violation of constitutional rights and an affront to democracy, stressing that journalists play a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability and public enlightenment.
According to the CDHR, “any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy itself.”
The organisation expressed concern over what it termed the growing culture of impunity among private security personnel, accusing the operatives involved of taking the law into their own hands.
It urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible, including alleged sponsors and collaborators, are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The CDHR further called on the Ogun State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disruption of the enforcement operation that led to the incident.
The organisation also urged the government to clarify allegations relating to the under-remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes and other statutory obligations reportedly linked to the company involved.
According to the group, the state government should identify and expose any individuals, whether within or outside government circles, who may have aided or benefited from any fraudulent practices capable of depriving the state of legitimate revenue.
“The public deserves full accountability. Failure to transparently investigate these allegations will only deepen public suspicion and undermine confidence in governance and regulatory institutions,” the statement said.
The CDHR warned against any attempt to shield the perpetrators or obstruct investigations, insisting that civil society groups would resist such actions through lawful and democratic means.
It also threatened to mobilise peaceful protests, including picketing relevant security agencies, if the police and DSS fail to bring those responsible to justice within seven days.
“The safety of journalists is non-negotiable. No individual, corporation or security outfit has the authority to assault citizens with impunity. Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, and all violators must face the full weight of the law,” the group stated.
The organisation expressed solidarity with the affected journalists, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, media practitioners across the country and other advocates of democratic freedoms, insisting that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
