The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ekiti State has called for the immediate release of Yemi Agbeleoba, General Manager of Our People’s FM, who was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, NUJ Chairman Comrade Kayode Babatuyi condemned the arrest, stating that it was an act of harassment and victimization of journalists.
According to Babatuyi, Agbeleoba was picked up in the early hours of Wednesday due to his alleged involvement in discussions surrounding a sexual harassment scandal involving the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina.
“We are deeply concerned about the manner in which Dr. Agbeleoba was arrested. Instead of inviting him for questioning, he was taken away in the middle of the night,” Babatuyi stated.
He warned that if Agbeleoba was not released within 24 hours, journalists in the state would blacklist FUOYE.
The NUJ chairman further alleged that Agbeleoba was targeted for his role as an active voice in a WhatsApp platform discussing the allegations against the FUOYE VC.
He insisted that using cyberbullying laws to suppress free speech would not be tolerated, calling on the DSS and FUOYE management to release the detained journalist immediately.