Police Release Osun NUJ Secretary, Akindoju

The Secretary of the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Olalekan Akindoju, has been released by the Osun State Police Command following his arrest earlier on Thursday.

 

Akindoju was reportedly arrested at his residence by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osun State Police Command.

 

Confirming the development earlier, the Chairman of the Osun State NUJ Council, Adeyemi Aboderin, informed members through the union’s official WhatsApp platform.

 

“Policemen reportedly arrested Hon. Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju, at his residence on Thursday morning.

 

“His apartment was allegedly burst into by policemen and he was taken to the State CID, Osogbo,” Aboderin stated.

 

The Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of the NUJ, Daniel Odeyemi, also confirmed the arrest, saying Akindoju had informed his station management that police officers had taken him to the State CID.

 

“Lekan called the Head of Station this morning and said police officers stormed his house and they are taking him to the State CID,” Odeyemi said.

 

He added that the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rave FM, Femi Adefila, proceeded to the Osun State Police Command headquarters to intervene in the matter.

 

However, later on Thursday, Aboderin announced that Akindoju had been released unconditionally.

 

According to him, the arrest resulted from a case of mistaken identity.

 

Before the journalist’s release, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, told journalists that efforts were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

 

Ojelabi said he had identified the police unit where Akindoju was being held and was making inquiries into the matter. He also confirmed that the NUJ chairman and other union officials were at the police headquarters seeking clarification.

 

The police have yet to issue a detailed statement on the circumstances that led to the arrest.