Widespread condemnation has followed the alleged assault and harassment of journalists covering a government enforcement exercise at the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State, with media organisations, labour unions, and civil society groups demanding justice and accountability.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when officials of the Ogun State Government, accompanied by security personnel and journalists, visited the industrial zone to enforce tax compliance measures against companies reportedly owing substantial tax liabilities. The operation was carried out by the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, which subsequently sealed parts of the facility over alleged non-payment of taxes.
Among those reportedly attacked were Ogun State Television correspondent Taiwo Fabajo, Channels Television correspondent Bidemi Bello, and cameraman Gbenga Osinuga. The journalists were covering the exercise in their professional capacity when private security operatives attached to the facility allegedly descended on them, physically assaulting and intimidating them.
A video that later circulated widely on social media appeared to show journalists being manhandled and obstructed while attempting to document developments during the operation. The footage sparked public outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of media practitioners carrying out legitimate assignments.
The enforcement exercise reportedly became tense when security personnel attached to the free trade zone allegedly resisted officials attempting to gain access to the premises. Authorities said the facility, which hosts more than 30 companies, had accumulated significant tax obligations under existing state tax regulations.
According to government sources, the enforcement team encountered barricades and resistance at the entrance to the complex, leading to a confrontation that reportedly left two police officers injured. The situation escalated further as journalists on the ground became targets of physical attacks while documenting the unfolding events.
Despite the resistance, security operatives eventually secured access to the facility, allowing officials to serve notices of tax default and proceed with the sealing of affected premises.
Reacting to the incident, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, described the attack as a serious violation of press freedom and an assault on democratic values. The union stressed that journalists play a constitutional role in informing the public and must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation, harassment, or violence.
The union called for an immediate investigation and urged law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the assault. It warned that attacks on journalists undermine transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to information.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who clarified that those responsible for the attacks were not police officers. He disclosed that investigations had already commenced to identify the perpetrators and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Several professional and labour organisations also condemned the development. The Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Ogun State Chapter, and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU) described the assault as a direct attack on media freedom and the rule of law.
RATTAWU maintained that no organisation, regardless of its influence or economic importance, should be permitted to suppress journalists or obstruct lawful government activities. The union insisted that those responsible must face the full weight of the law to deter future attacks on media practitioners.
The condemnation extended beyond the media community, with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) demanding swift action against all individuals connected to the incident. The rights group called on both the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.
CDHR also urged the Ogun State Government to provide a detailed account of the events that led to the disruption of the enforcement exercise and to expose any individuals or organisations that may have obstructed lawful government operations.
The organisation warned that failure to secure justice could trigger coordinated protests involving civil society groups, labour unions, media stakeholders, and pro-democracy activists. It stated that peaceful demonstrations, picketing, and other lawful actions would be considered if authorities fail to hold those responsible accountable.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges journalists face while reporting sensitive assignments and has reignited calls for stronger protections for media workers across Nigeria. Press freedom advocates argue that attacks on journalists not only endanger individual reporters but also threaten the broader principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
