A growing concern over press freedom has emerged after the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, demanded the immediate release of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, who was allegedly arrested by unidentified security operatives in Abuja.

The union said Ugagbe, a reporter with SecretReporters, was taken from his residence on Wednesday, July 1, and has not been seen since, with no security agency acknowledging responsibility for his detention.

Why it matters

The case has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria and the need for security agencies to follow due process when carrying out arrests.

Media rights advocates say detaining journalists without publicly identifying the arresting agency or granting access to lawyers and family members raises serious questions about accountability, transparency and constitutional rights.

What happened?

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Jide Oyekunle, four armed men dressed in plain clothes reportedly arrived at Ugagbe’s residence in Jikwoyi Phase II shortly after he returned home from work.

The union said one of the men carried an assault rifle while the others wore civilian clothing.

It alleged that the men seized the journalist’s mobile phone and laptop before taking him away in an unmarked black Mitsubishi Pajero SUV with tinted windows.

The NUJ said efforts to trace Ugagbe had so far been unsuccessful.

According to the union, several security agencies contacted over the incident denied having him in custody or knowing anything about his whereabouts.

NUJ demands answers

The journalists’ union described the reported arrest and continued detention as disturbing.

It called on relevant security agencies to identify the operatives involved, explain the legal basis for the arrest and immediately disclose Ugagbe’s whereabouts.

The NUJ also insisted that the journalist should be granted immediate access to his family and legal representatives.

The union stated that if there is any lawful basis for his arrest, he should be promptly charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Otherwise, it said, he should be released without further delay.

The council added that it would continue to monitor developments while supporting efforts to protect press freedom in Nigeria.

Expert perspective

Legal experts say Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees the right to personal liberty and requires anyone arrested to be informed of the reasons for their detention and brought before a court within the time prescribed by law.

Media freedom advocates have also argued that transparency by law enforcement agencies is essential to maintaining public confidence and protecting democratic institutions.

Public concern

The incident has generated concern among journalists and civil society groups, many of whom are calling for a swift clarification from security authorities.

They argue that uncertainty surrounding the disappearance of a journalist could have a chilling effect on investigative reporting and freedom of expression.

What’s next?

Attention is now focused on Nigeria’s security agencies to clarify whether Ugagbe is in official custody and, if so, under what legal authority.

The NUJ says it will continue pressing for answers until the journalist is either formally charged or released.

A DNA test has confirmed that the unidentified body found in a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos, belongs to journalist Pelumi Onifade, who disappeared after being arrested while covering the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.

The confirmation ends nearly six years of uncertainty for his family, who have spent years searching for answers about his whereabouts and demanding accountability for his disappearance.

Onifade, whose full name was Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi, was reporting on demonstrations against police brutality in the Agege area of Lagos on October 24, 2020, when he was reportedly arrested by police officers.

Witnesses and rights advocates previously stated that he identified himself as a journalist and was wearing clothing that clearly marked him as a member of the press at the time of his arrest.

Days after his disappearance, an unidentified body was deposited at a mortuary in Ikorodu, sparking concerns that it could be the missing reporter. However, the remains remained unidentified for years, prolonging the family’s search for closure.

Court-Ordered Investigation

In July 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the Lagos State Government to conduct a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding Onifade’s death.

The court also directed the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to carry out a post-mortem examination on the unidentified body believed to be linked to the missing journalist.

According to LASUTH, efforts to identify the remains faced significant setbacks after DNA samples stored at the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre were reportedly destroyed during the unrest that followed the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

Following legal proceedings and renewed efforts by investigators, a fresh DNA analysis was conducted using a sample provided by Onifade’s mother.

The magistrate overseeing the case disclosed that the results confirmed a DNA match between the unidentified body and the maternal sample submitted for testing.

The finding officially establishes the identity of the deceased almost six years after his disappearance.

Why This Matters

The confirmation is a major development in one of the unresolved cases linked to the #EndSARS protests, a nationwide movement that drew international attention to allegations of police brutality and human rights violations in Nigeria.

For media rights advocates, the case has become symbolic of concerns about journalist safety while covering public demonstrations and security operations.

Human rights groups have repeatedly called for transparent investigations into cases involving missing protesters, journalists and other civilians during the protests and their aftermath.

The confirmation of Onifade’s identity may also renew calls for accountability and further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his arrest and death.

Family Seeks Answers

While the DNA results provide long-awaited confirmation, key questions surrounding the reporter’s death remain unanswered.

The family’s legal representatives are now pushing for a full autopsy to establish the exact cause of death and determine whether criminal liability exists.

Legal observers say the outcome of the autopsy and coroner’s proceedings could play a crucial role in determining the next steps in the case.

For Onifade’s family, the confirmation brings an end to years of uncertainty but begins a new phase in the search for justice.

What Happens Next?

The court is expected to continue hearing the matter as investigators and legal representatives seek further clarity on the circumstances surrounding Onifade’s death.

The case has been adjourned until July 7, 2026, for further proceedings.

Observers say the next hearing could provide updates on plans for a full autopsy and any additional findings from the ongoing coroner’s inquest.

A new episode of the Difficult Conversation Africa Podcast has reignited debate about disability inclusion in Africa, challenging governments, institutions and communities to move beyond charity-driven narratives and symbolic policies.

Hosted by journalist and disability inclusion advocate Yinka Olaito, the episode features Kenyan disability rights advocate Karen Muruiki, who speaks candidly about the everyday realities of living in what she describes as an “ableist African society”.

Rather than framing disability as personal misfortune, the conversation positions it as a social justice and human rights issue, shaped by systems, attitudes and design choices that exclude millions across the continent.

“Many of the barriers people with disabilities face are not about impairment,” Muruiki says, “but about how society is designed and who it is designed for.”

Why This Conversation Matters

Across Africa, persons with disabilities continue to face exclusion from education, employment, healthcare and public life, despite growing policy commitments to inclusion.

Most African countries have signed international disability rights frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Yet, implementation often falls short, weakened by limited funding, weak political will and the exclusion of persons with disabilities from decision-making processes.

The podcast episode highlights how inaccessible buildings, exclusionary school systems and harmful cultural attitudes remain part of daily life for many Africans with disabilities.

From Lived Experience to Structural Gaps

Drawing from personal experience, Muruiki describes how ableism shows up not just in infrastructure, but in language, social norms and expectations.

Disability, she explains, is often associated with shame, dependency or weakness, reinforcing cycles of exclusion and silence.

Olaito adds that media coverage has also played a role in shaping these narratives.

“If the only time disability appears in the news is during charity drives or inspirational features, we are reinforcing stereotypes,” she says. “We need reporting that centres rights, agency and accountability.”

For families and individuals living with disabilities, the episode offers rare validation by naming shared struggles that are often ignored or normalised.

Beyond the Problems: Paths to Change

The discussion does not stop at identifying barriers.

Muruiki emphasises collective action, peer support and grassroots advocacy as key tools for resistance and empowerment.

She argues that change begins when people with disabilities are treated as knowledge holders whose lived experiences can guide better policy and practice.

The episode also challenges allies such as educators, policymakers, development practitioners and entrepreneurs, to examine how inclusion is applied in real terms, not just rhetoric.

What This Means for Africa’s Future

As African societies debate development, equity and democracy, disability inclusion is emerging as a central test of who gets to belong.

The podcast positions disability not as a side issue, but as a lens through which broader questions of justice, access and power can be examined.

“This isn’t pity talk,” Olaito concludes. “It’s truth, resistance, and a call to rethink inclusion beyond slogans.”

What’s Next

Advocates are calling for stronger accountability mechanisms, disability-inclusive media reporting and greater participation of persons with disabilities in policymaking.

Listeners say conversations like this could help shift public attitudes, if institutions are willing to listen.