Officials of the Nigerian military assaulted three journalists on March 6, 2025, while they were on official duty in Ikeja, Lagos State, and seized their gadgets.
The journalists had gone to the headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company before traveling to Adiyan in Ogun State to cover the unveiling of a solar project. While they were in a bus on the premises, military personnel stormed the area and began assaulting people in the building. The journalists later learned that the Air Force personnel were enraged over the disconnection of their military base by the power distribution company.
According to Dare Olawin, a correspondent for The Punch newspaper who spoke to the MFWA, and a statement from the newspaper, the rampaging military officers spotted their correspondent and two other journalists in a Coaster bus and attacked them as well.
“Our correspondent, along with a TVC cameraman and another reporter, was spotted in a Coaster bus by the military personnel. They were dragged out, beaten black and blue, and forced to sit on the floor,” the newspaper stated.
Olawin said his Android phone, a small Itel phone, and a white power bank were taken by the officers, who threatened to shoot him if he said anything. He told the MFWA in a telephone conversation that the TVC cameraman’s tripod was also seized, though he could not recall the cameraman’s name.
Olawin sought medical attention on March 11 after his pain persisted.
“After five days, I was still not feeling alright, so I went to see a doctor. I had a head scan, and fortunately, everything was okay, so I have resumed work,” Olawin told the MFWA in a telephone conversation.
Asked whether the case had been reported to military authorities or the police for investigation, Olawin said, “Not yet. My newspaper wants me to recover before taking further action. If we seek redress in court, The Punch’s lawyers will handle it.”
He also mentioned that he and the other two victims had barely introduced themselves before the attack. He only recalled that one was a TVC cameraman and the other a freelancer. He reiterated that the military personnel had seized the cameraman’s tripod.
TVC authorities did not respond to inquiries about the name of their assaulted cameraman.
MFWA contacted Olusola Akinboyewa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, for comments, but he did not respond to calls or text messages.
We condemn the unprovoked assault on the journalists and the seizure of their gadgets. It is unacceptable for journalists to be subjected to such treatment while carrying out their professional duties. We therefore call on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the officers involved are held accountable.
