Concern has continued to mount within media circles in Osun State following the reported arrest of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Mr. Olalekan Akindoju, by police officers in Osogbo on Thursday morning.
The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the NUJ in Osun State, Mr. Adeyemi Aboderin, through a message posted on the council’s official WhatsApp platform.
According to Aboderin, police officers allegedly stormed Akindoju’s residence and took him into custody.
“Policemen reportedly arrested the 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 Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Osogbo. More details will be communicated as they become available,” he stated.
Speaking further on the incident, Aboderin said the union had yet to establish the reason behind the arrest.
“I have contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), but the reason for his arrest has not yet been ascertained,” he said.
The Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of the NUJ, Mr. Daniel Odeyemi, also confirmed the development. He disclosed that Akindoju had contacted the management of the station shortly before being taken away by police officers.
“Lekan called the Head of Station this morning and informed him that police officers had arrived at his residence and were taking him to the State CID,” Odeyemi said.
He added that the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rave FM, Mr. Femi Adefila, had proceeded to the Osun State Police Command Headquarters to seek clarification on the matter.
Odeyemi further noted that Akindoju’s whereabouts were initially unclear, as officials at the police command headquarters reportedly claimed they had no information regarding his location.
Sources within the NUJ also revealed that efforts to contact Akindoju by telephone immediately after the arrest were unsuccessful, raising concerns among colleagues and associates.
However, in a subsequent update, the Osun NUJ Chairman disclosed that the union had succeeded in locating Akindoju.
“We have been able to trace him to the cells of the Police Provost and Disciplinary Unit (PRU) at the Police Headquarters. It was probably a case of mistaken identity, and we are working towards his immediate release,” Aboderin stated.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The command is yet to issue a formal statement explaining the circumstances surrounding Akindoju’s arrest or confirming the reasons for his detention.
