Habeeb Adejobi, a reporter with Lagos-based MITV, has accused the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyosore Ogunlewe, of orchestrating an assault against him while he was covering a political screening exercise. The incident reportedly occurred on March 11, 2026, at the Kosofe Local Government Secretariat in Lagos, where Adejobi had gone to report on the screening of political aspirants ahead of local government elections.
According to Adejobi, he arrived at the venue around 4 p.m. and attempted to notify the chairman and the council’s information officer of his presence but was unable to reach them. He said he then contacted a councillor at the venue, who informed him that the screening session was still ongoing.
Adejobi stated that he proceeded to set up his camera within the premises in anticipation of interviewing councillors and, if possible, the screened aspirants after the session. While preparing, he was approached by a man who asked if he was a journalist and subsequently informed him that the chairman had directed him to leave the premises.
He said he requested to be taken to the chairman for clarification. Shortly afterwards, Ogunlewe arrived and asked him to present his identification card. Adejobi acknowledged that he did not have his ID on him at the time.
Adejobi alleges that following this exchange, the chairman instructed individuals nearby to seize his camera. He further claims that one of the men began assaulting him with a plank, and that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reportedly attached to a unit referred to as a “Special Task Force,” joined in the assault.
He also alleges that during the incident, he was forced to delete footage from his camera before being taken to a police station. At the station, he said his camera had been damaged, his phone confiscated, and that he was brought before the Divisional Police Officer in the presence of the chairman’s Chief of Staff. He was later released and sought medical attention.
In response, Chairman Moyosore Ogunlewe denied the allegations. He stated that Adejobi was taken to the police station after failing to provide valid identification while attempting to film at the venue, and did not confirm any assault.
The incident has drawn condemnation from Journalists for Democracy Rights (JODER), which described the alleged attack as unacceptable in a democratic society and called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) calls on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible for assaulting the journalist is held accountable.
