3rd July, 2026 | News

Alleged Abduction of Journalist Sparks Scrutiny of Police, CBN Deputy Governor

The Nigeria Police Force and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have come under public scrutiny following allegations that Stanley Ugagbe, a journalist with Secrets Reporters, was abducted by security operatives over an investigative report involving CBN Deputy Governor for Operations, Emem Nnanna Etuk Usoro.

The allegation was made on Thursday by Secrets Reporters publisher Fejiro Oliver, who claimed the journalist was unlawfully arrested while returning from a training programme sponsored by the media organisation.

According to Oliver, armed operatives intercepted Ugagbe on Wednesday before later taking him to his residence, where they allegedly confiscated his official phone and laptop.

Oliver further alleged that the operation was carried out on the orders of the CBN Deputy Governor in connection with an investigative report published by the media outlet earlier this year.

He claimed the operatives were armed with Israeli-made Tavor rifles and expressed concerns over what he described as an abuse of power, intimidation of journalists and a threat to press freedom.

Oliver said he immediately contacted the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, to verify whether the agency was responsible for the operation.

According to him, the DSS chief promptly ordered internal checks, while the agency’s Federal Capital Territory Command later confirmed that none of its operatives was involved in the alleged arrest.

Oliver alleged that subsequent findings pointed to possible police involvement, citing the type of vehicle allegedly used during the operation and the appearance of some of the operatives.

He also criticised the police leadership, claiming that efforts to locate Ugagbe at several police detention facilities in Abuja had so far proved unsuccessful.

Describing the incident as an attack on press freedom, Oliver urged the authorities to either release the journalist immediately or formally charge him in court.

The controversy comes months after Secrets Reporters published an investigative report alleging that Emem Usoro was named in court documents connected to a matrimonial dispute involving allegations of adultery. The report also made claims regarding her alleged ownership of high-value properties in the United States.

Those allegations have not been determined by a court, and there is no public indication that Usoro has been found liable for any wrongdoing.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force, the Central Bank of Nigeria and Emem Usoro had not publicly responded to the latest allegations concerning the journalist’s reported arrest.