IPI Nigeria and CPJ Demand Release of Journalist Ugagbe

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called for the immediate release of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, who was reportedly taken into custody by four unidentified men in Abuja. Ugagbe, who works for the online platform Secret Report, was allegedly abducted while returning home from an official training program.

Fejiro Oliv, the editor-in-chief of Secret Report, stated that the Nigeria Police Force carried out the operation, seizing Ugagbe's official laptop and mobile phone. Following the incident, Oliv and other senior reporters visited the Jikwoyi and Karu police stations to ascertain Ugagbe's whereabouts but found no record of his detention.

IPI Nigeria condemned the manner of Ugagbe's arrest and his incommunicado status, emphasizing the violation of his rights and the need for security agencies to respect press freedom. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant security agencies to disclose Ugagbe's legal basis for arrest and ensure access to legal representation.

Angela Quintal of CPJ also called for the immediate disclosure of Ugagbe's whereabouts.