Journalist Abducted In Ogun State After Exposing Human Rights Violations

Ogun State-based journalist Oluwatosin Oshibanjo was kidnapped from his Ijebu-Ode residence on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, just days after publishing a report on sensitive human rights violations involving a local pastor. The abduction has triggered widespread alarm among his family and colleagues.

The journalist had recently uncovered a case in which a woman accused the pastor, who also claimed to be a doctor, of impregnating her multiple times and forcing her to undergo repeated abortions. The woman, however, refused to terminate her last pregnancy, which resulted in the birth of a child she alleges was fathered by the pastor. The pastor has denied responsibility for the child.

Oshibanjo’s mother, Tokunbo Bakre, revealed that her son had been working on the story to expose the situation. She believes his abduction is linked to his investigative report, which was published shortly before the incident.

According to Bakre, Oshibanjo was on the phone with his wife when unknown assailants stormed their home and forcibly took him to an undisclosed location. “Tosin intervened in this case between the lady and the pastor. After publishing the story, I fear this is why he was taken,” she explained.

Since the abduction, the family has been unable to reach Oshibanjo, and his phone has remained switched off. Desperate for answers, his family is pleading with authorities for urgent intervention. “We are scared and don’t know what has happened to him. We are begging the authorities to help find my son and bring him back safely,” Bakre urged.

Attempts to contact Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, for an official statement were unsuccessful. However, a senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the kidnapping, raising further concerns about the growing threat to press freedom in the state.

The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation and raised alarms about the safety of journalists who report on sensitive and controversial issues.