Photos: How I was harassed, brutalised by police officers for covering #EndSARS Memorial protest in Osun – Journalist
A DAILY POST newspaper correspondent in Osun State, Sikiru Obarayese has narrated his ordeals in the hands of operatives of the Nigeria Police Force while covering the #EndSARS Memorial protest on Wednesday (today) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The demonstrators chanted freedom songs as they walked from the Ita-Olokan area through Oja-Oba, Station road, Post Office, Oke-Fia and Old-Garage before they were interrupted.
Some of them including Obarayese were picked up and beaten repeatedly by overzealous police officers.
Narrating his ordeal to Newsclick Nigeria from hospital bed where he is currently receiving treatment for the injury sustained after he was attacked, Obarayese said he was grabbed around 1:10pm despite identifying himself as a journalist.
“Six policemen arrested me at Freedom Park on the instruction of Chief Superintendent of Police, Oyegbade Akinloye, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dugbe Division.
“I was hit with a gun butt before they forcefully took me to the station. One L. Yakubu hit me with several fist blows and was told to write a statement but I refused.
“One Inspector Charles wrote the statement on my behalf and ordered me to sign, but I declined. I insisted they should give me my phone. The charge was immediately prepared.
“Twelve policemen brutalised me during my stay at the station. They threatened to kill me if I chose not to cooperate with them; I tried to stay calm. They took me to court at 2pm.
“I sustained an open wound on my knee, wrist, lost my earpod and some cash. I feel pains all over my body but I thank God I’m alive”, he said.
After his arrest, the 28-year old Obarayese was arraigned at the Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly making a video of the DPO during the protest.
The reporter, who was taken away while his colleagues scampered for safety, faced a two-count charge of alleged breach of peace and recording/assaulting Akinloye.
The police said the alleged offences run foul of Sections 249(5) and 356 of the Criminal Code Cap 34. Laws of Osun State.
Obarayese pleaded “not guilty” to the charges pressed by the prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Kayode.
Kayode, however, informed the court of the decision to withdraw and discontinue the case saying: “The Commissioner of Police informed me to discontinue the case.”
The Magistrate, A. O. Daramola asked the prosecutor to point out where it was established in Nigerian laws that recording a police officer or station was illegal.
Daramola, who was visibly dissatisfied with the conduct of the security agency, granted the request to withdraw and struck out the case.
