Where Is Stanley Ugagbe?” — NUJ Demands Immediate Release Of Missing Journalist

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has called for the immediate release of Stanley Ugagbe, a reporter with SecretReporters, who was allegedly arrested by unidentified security operatives in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The union described the reported arrest and continued detention of the journalist as deeply concerning, urging security agencies to clarify his whereabouts without delay.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Jide Oyekunle, the union said the circumstances surrounding Ugagbe’s arrest remain unclear.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the journalist’s residence in Jikwoyi Phase II, Abuja.

The NUJ alleged that four armed men dressed in civilian clothing arrived at Ugagbe’s home shortly after he returned from work and took him away to an undisclosed location.

The union said one of the operatives was dressed in a T-shirt and trousers, while another reportedly carried an assault rifle.

It further alleged that the operatives confiscated the journalist’s mobile phone and laptop before leaving in an unmarked black Mitsubishi Pajero SUV with tinted windows.

The NUJ said it had reached out to several security agencies to determine whether Ugagbe was being held in official custody but claimed that the agencies contacted denied any involvement or knowledge of his whereabouts.

The union called on the relevant authorities to identify the operatives responsible for the arrest and publicly disclose the reasons for detaining the journalist.

It also demanded that Ugagbe be granted immediate access to his family members and legal representatives.

According to the NUJ, if there are lawful grounds for his arrest, he should be promptly arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction. Otherwise, the union insisted, he should be released without further delay.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the case closely and pledged to continue advocating for the protection of press freedom and the rights of journalists across Nigeria.