Nigeria: CWPPF Condemns the Violent Assault, Harassment, and Phone Destruction of Pinnacle Daily Editor, Sunday Michael Ogwu, By Police Operatives in Lugbe

What the report says

The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the reported assault and harassment of Sunday Michael Ogwu, editor of Pinnacle Daily, by police operatives and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria during a demolition exercise in the Lugbe area of Abuja. The account was shared through the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), which said the incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, near the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate.

According to the statement, Ogwu said he was documenting the operation when a police officer allegedly seized his phone. CWPPF said he repeatedly identified himself as a journalist, but was still surrounded, detained briefly, and beaten with an electric cable after refusing to enter a patrol van. The group said he was later struck again after attempting to record the scene and send a distress message, and that his phone was damaged during the confrontation.

CWPPF described the episode as an attack on press freedom and called for an investigation by the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Police Command. It also urged disciplinary action against those involved, compensation for the damaged device and medical costs, and a public apology. The group said the case reflects wider concerns about the treatment of journalists covering public operations in Nigeria. In general, press freedom advocates in the country have long raised concerns about harassment of reporters by security agencies, especially during protests, evictions, and other sensitive public events.