CSP Ukorobo Uchenna allegedly led brutal assault on Pinnacle Daily Editor, Sunday Michael Ogwu — CWPPF demands probe

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned what it described as the violent assault, harassment, unlawful seizure and destruction of the working equipment of the Editor of Pinnacle Daily, Sunday Michael Ogwu, allegedly by police operatives attached to the Lugbe Police Division in Abuja.

The coalition alleged that the journalist was physically assaulted twice by police officers during a demolition exercise at the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate area of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

According to the account of the incident made available to CWPPF, the alleged assault was carried out under the supervision and direction of the Divisional Police Officer of Lugbe Police Division, CSP Ukorobo Uchenna C, alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

CWPPF said Ogwu was taking a stroll around the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate at about 5:30 p.m. when he encountered a joint demolition operation involving approximately four Hilux patrol vans marked “Lugbe Police Division” and VGN personnel dressed in brown uniforms bearing their organisation’s insignia.

The coalition said the journalist brought out his mobile phone to document the public operation, after which a police officer allegedly seized the device without warning.

Ogwu reportedly identified himself repeatedly as a journalist and attempted to explain his reason for documenting the exercise. However, according to his account, the officers surrounded him while some local youths were being arrested.

The journalist was allegedly ordered to enter one of the police patrol vans.
When he reportedly declined, insisting that he was a journalist and had committed no offence, the police officers allegedly flogged him with an electric cable on the instruction of the officer in charge.

CWPPF described the alleged incident as an unacceptable use of force against a journalist performing what it considers a legitimate professional and civic duty.

The coalition further alleged that after the journalist’s phone was returned and he was told to leave the scene, Ogwu moved approximately 100 metres away from the demolition site.

According to the account, he began recording another video to document what had happened and to send a distress message to his media organisation.

The coalition alleged that the police officers noticed that Ogwu was recording again and pursued him.

He was allegedly dragged back towards the demolition site, where he was subjected to a second round of flogging.
CWPPF alleged that the second assault was carried out on the instruction of the officer in charge, who was said to have declared that the first beating “was not enough.”

The alleged assault reportedly resulted in physical injuries to the journalist and severe damage to his mobile phone, which he used in the course of his journalistic duties.

According to the coalition, passersby eventually intervened and advised Ogwu to leave the area for his safety.
CWPPF said it was particularly concerned that the alleged incident involved law enforcement officers who are expected to protect citizens, maintain public order and uphold the rule of law.

The coalition argued that journalists should not be subjected to physical violence merely for documenting public operations.

It said the alleged assault raises serious questions about the treatment of journalists by security personnel and the level of respect for freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.

“Journalism is not a crime,” the coalition stated, stressing that the media has a legitimate role in reporting and scrutinising the activities of public institutions.

CWPPF further described the alleged use of an electric cable to flog a journalist as “deeply unsettling and unacceptable,” particularly because the incident allegedly occurred during a public operation involving state security personnel.

The organisation said the incident also undermines public assurances by the police leadership concerning respect for human rights and the protection of journalists carrying out their professional responsibilities.

The coalition called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the FCT Police Command to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.

It demanded that the investigation should identify the police officers and VGN personnel allegedly involved and ensure that any individual found culpable is appropriately disciplined in accordance with the law.

CWPPF also demanded compensation for the journalist’s damaged mobile phone and payment of all medical expenses incurred as a result of the alleged assault.

It further called for a formal public apology to Ogwu and the management of Pinnacle Daily.

The coalition urged the police authorities to issue clear directives to police divisions across the Federal Capital Territory against the intimidation, harassment and physical assault of journalists covering public events and official operations.

The organisation maintained that journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of retaliation, intimidation or violence.

The development comes amid continuing concerns among media and civil society organisations over the safety of journalists covering security operations, demolitions, protests, public demonstrations and other sensitive events across Nigeria.

CWPPF said protecting journalists is essential to democratic accountability because the press serves as a bridge between public institutions and citizens.
It warned that attacks on journalists not only threaten individual media practitioners but also undermine the public’s right to receive information about activities carried out by government agencies and security institutions.

The coalition, therefore, urged the police authorities to treat the allegation with seriousness and ensure that the investigation is transparent and credible.
It also called for measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents involving journalists and security personnel.

The statement was signed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on behalf of the Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom.

CWPPF is a coalition of media organisations, civil society groups and law firms committed to promoting democracy and good governance through the protection of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.

Its members include Premium Times, Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation, Daily Trust Newspaper, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Civic Media Lab, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), International Press Centre (IPC), International Press Institute (IPI), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Paradigm Initiative, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), HEDA Resources Centre, WikkiTimes, Global Rights, Dataphyte Foundation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, FOLEGAL, Women Radio 91.7 FM, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, BUK TV & RADIO, The Jurist Newspaper Limited, Freedom Radio Kano, Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, Hope Behind Bars Africa, Digicivic Initiative and Pinnacle Daily.

The allegations contained in the statement have not been independently verified, and the police authorities and CSP Ukorobo Uchenna C were not quoted in the statement as having responded to the allegations.

CWPPF said it remained committed to ensuring that journalists in Nigeria can perform their constitutional and professional duties in a safe environment free from intimidation, harassment and violence.