A journalist based in Ogun State, Olajide Osoba, has reportedly been assaulted by individuals said to be members of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
Osoba, who publishes the online platform Newsangleonline, was allegedly attacked during the Workers’ Day celebration at the June 12 Cultural Center in Kuto, Abeokuta, on Thursday.
The journalist claimed that the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Student Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, instructed the assailants to carry out the beating.
Visibly injured with blood staining his shirt and streaming down his face, Osoba voiced his distress, insisting he had done nothing to deserve such violence.
In response to the incident, the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has directed all its members to cease coverage of NANS activities within the state temporarily.
This directive was contained in a statement signed by the council’s secretary, Bunmi Adigun, which clarified that the embargo would remain in place while investigations by the NUJ and the police are ongoing.
The NUJ strongly condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible be held accountable, urging NANS to support efforts to uncover the truth and prevent future occurrences.
The statement read, “We have taken a firm stance following the alleged assault on a journalist and a member of the Union, Olajide Osoba by supposed students and members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ogun State.
“In response to the incident, which occurred on Thursday, at the June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, venue of the 2025 May Day celebration, the leadership of Ogun NUJ has ordered a temporary blacklist on all coverage of activities by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) until a thorough investigation is conducted.
“The decision was announced after reports surfaced detailing the assault, which raised serious concerns over the safety and security of journalists while performing their duties. The NUJ condemned the attack and called for immediate accountability for those responsible.
“This directive reflects the NUJ’s commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive environment for media practitioners in Ogun State and across Nigeria”.
When reached for comment, Azeez Adeyemi denied any involvement in the incident, describing the allegations as unfounded.
He said, “I don’t know anything about it at all. It is completely strange to me. Even if he has issues with students so Adeyemi Azeez must have been the one that gave that directive that they should attack him?
“Also they have even unveiled the people that beat him up. They said he has issues with some people in Abeokuta North or so”.
