The journalists identified as Taiwo Fabajo of OGTV, Bidemi Bello of Channels Television, and Gbenga Osinuga were reportedly attacked on June 3, 2026, by private security operatives attached to a Chinese company operating in the Ogunguandong area of the state while carrying out their professional duties.
In a statement jointly signed by the National President of CDHR, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Adewunmi Adesina, the organization said the attack represented a direct assault on the constitutional rights of citizens and the role of the media in promoting accountability.
The statement reads”The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) strongly condemns the brutal assault, harassment and intimidation of journalists namely Taiwo Fabajo of OGTV, Bidemi Bello of Channels Television and Gbenga Osinuga on 03/06/2026 while carrying out their legitimate professional duties during an official enforcement exercise in Igbesa, Ogun State.
“The reported attack by private security operatives attached to a Chinese company operating in the Ogunguandong area represents a grave violation of press freedom, the constitutional rights of citizens, and a direct assault on democratic values. Journalists play an indispensable role in promoting transparency, accountability and public enlightenment. Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy itself.
“CDHR views this incident as a dangerous manifestation of impunity and lawlessness by private security personnel who apparently believe they are above the law and under the influence of some persons with questionable characters. The use of violence against media practitioners who were lawfully covering matters of public interest is unacceptable and must not be tolerated in any democratic society.
“Consequently, CDHR calls on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately commence a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into this incident. We demand that all persons involved in the assault, including their sponsors, employers and collaborators, be identified, arrested and prosecuted within Seven (7) days from the date of this statement
“The Ogun State Government must also come clean on the suspicious circumstances that birthed the prevention of a routine enforcement operation leading to the unfortunate incident. The government owes the public a duty to investigate and disclose all facts relating to the allegations of suspicious under-remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes and other statutory obligations reportedly connected with the company involved, suspicious multimillion deducted Pay as you Earn tax but unremmitted.
“Furthermore, the Ogun State Government must unravel and expose all individuals, whether within government circles or outside government, who may have aided, protected or benefited from any fraudulent practices associated with the company and robbing the state of the deserved revenue. The public deserves full accountability. Failure to transparently investigate these allegations will only deepen public suspicion and undermine confidence in governance and regulatory institutions.
“CDHR warns that any attempt to shield the perpetrators, suppress evidence, or frustrate investigations will be resisted through all lawful and democratic means available to civil society.
“Should the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services fail to bring the perpetrators to book within the stipulated Seven (7) days, CDHR, in collaboration with allied civil society organizations, labour activists, media stakeholders and democratic forces, shall be compelled to mobilize for peaceful mass actions, including picketing and occupation of the relevant security zone and offices, until justice is served and accountability is ensured.
“The safety of journalists is non-negotiable. No individual, corporation or security outfit has the authority to assault citizens with impunity. Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, and all violators must be made to face the full weight of the law.
“CDHR stands in solidarity with the affected journalists, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), media practitioners across the country and all defenders of democratic freedoms”.
