Nigeria: CWPPF Renews Call for Independent Investigation As FCT Police Command Shifts Focus From Alleged Assault to Journalist's Conduct

What the report says

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has renewed its call for an independent investigation into the alleged assault of Sunday Michael Ogwu, editor of Pinnacle Daily, in Lugbe, Abuja. In a statement dated 22 August 2026 and distributed through the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, the coalition said Mr Ogwu was allegedly attacked by police and Vigilante Group of Nigeria personnel on 19 August during an operation in the Federal Capital Territory.

CWPPF said the FCT Police Command’s later public response shifted attention away from the assault allegation and toward Mr Ogwu’s refusal to immediately appear at Command Headquarters. According to the coalition, the editor had already reported the incident to the police PRO on the night it happened, then sought legal and press-freedom support before making a formal statement. The group argued that this sequence was a reasonable response for someone alleging abuse by officers linked to the incident.

The coalition also pointed to what it described as unresolved questions about which officers were deployed in Lugbe, noting that earlier comments attributed to police suggested the personnel may not have been under FCT Command. It said records, deployment details, and any available footage should be preserved and reviewed outside the direct command structure. CWPPF further urged apologies, compensation for the destroyed phone, and payment of medical costs if the allegations are confirmed.

More broadly, the statement reflects continuing concern among press-freedom advocates in Nigeria over alleged harassment of journalists covering public operations. The coalition said journalism is a protected activity and warned against framing the issue as one of misconduct by the complainant before the assault claim is properly examined.