An Abuja-based journalist, Sunday Michael Ogwu, Editor of Pinnacle Daily, has alleged that police officers attached to the Lugbe Police Division and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) assaulted him while he was covering a demolition exercise in Lugbe, Abuja.
Ogwu alleged that the incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the new site gate of the Federal Housing Authority, Lugbe Federal Housing Estate.
According to the journalist, he was filming the demolition exercise when the officers reportedly objected to his recording, seized his mobile phone and ordered him to delete the footage.
Ogwu said he explained that journalists have the right to cover public activities, but the explanation allegedly angered the officers. He claimed that a senior officer supervising the operation subsequently ordered that he be beaten.
The journalist alleged that he was struck several times with an electric cable, receiving about 10 strokes before being ordered to leave the area.
He further alleged that after his phone was returned, he left the scene and began a live video to explain what had happened. According to him, the officers later returned and claimed that the Divisional Police Officer had ordered them to bring him back.
Photographs and videos shared by Ogwu reportedly showed bruises on his back and a cracked screen on his phone.
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Reacting to the incident, the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) condemned the alleged assault, describing it as an attack on press freedom and citizens’ rights.
FICAN called for an immediate and transparent investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command.
The association also demanded disciplinary action against any officer or VGN member found culpable.
The group further called for an apology to Ogwu, payment of his medical expenses and compensation for his damaged phone.
FICAN stressed that journalists and citizens have a constitutional right to document the activities of public officials, subject to the law, and warned against practices reminiscent of the era of police brutality associated with the #EndSARS protests.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting journalists’ right to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, harassment or retaliation.
Note: The allegations in this report are based on claims attributed to the journalist and FICAN; they do not by themselves establish criminal liability against the accused officers or VGN members.
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