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By Gloria Ikibah

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has mourned the death of Comrade Patrick Osadebamwen, a veteran journalist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council.

In a condolence message signed by the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aishatu Ibrahim, and National Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, the association described Osadebamwen’s death as a painful loss to the journalism profession and the wider media community.

NAWOJ said the late journalist devoted significant years of his life to journalism, unionism and the advancement of the welfare and interests of media professionals.

“Comrade Osadebamwen’s professional journey, which included service with reputable media organisations such as The Union Newspaper, Core TV, The Nigerian Tribune and Kaftan TV, as well as his leadership of the NUJ FCT Council, reflected his commitment to the journalism profession and the growth of the media community,” the statement read.

The women journalists said his death was particularly painful because journalism was more than a profession, describing it as a community united by a shared responsibility to inform society, defend truth and contribute to national development.

“For us in NAWOJ, his passing is particularly painful because the journalism profession is not merely a career; it is a community bound together by a shared commitment to informing society, defending truth and promoting a better nation.

“The death of every committed journalist therefore diminishes that community and leaves a void that will be difficult to fill,” it said.

NAWOJ extended its condolences to the NUJ FCT Council, Osadebamwen’s professional colleagues, friends and associates, with particular emphasis on his three children and the entire Osadebamwen family.

The association urged the bereaved family to draw strength from his contributions to journalism and the memories he left behind, while calling on members of the media community to stand by the family during the difficult period.

“At this moment of grief, we urge the bereaved family to take solace in the positive impact of his life and the memories he leaves behind.

“We also encourage our colleagues in the media community to stand firmly with the family and keep them in their prayers as they navigate this painful period,” NAWOJ said.

The association joined the NUJ and the wider Nigerian media community in mourning the former NUJ FCT chairman, and prayed for strength for his family and eternal rest for the deceased.

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Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in a coordinated joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups have successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Kogi State.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Lieutenant,l Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
12 Brigade Nigerian Army, copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday.

The operation was conducted on 31 August 2026 in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area.

The operation followed reports of a mass abduction of road users along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis. Acting on credible intelligence, troops, alongside other security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes, mobilised from Headquarters 21 Battalion and conducted a coordinated search of the adjoining forests.

During the operation, the joint team successfully rescued all 21 kidnapped victims, comprising 8 males and 13 females, from the Egume and Ochaja forest areas.

Unfortunately, one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for immediate treatment.

The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, while necessary arrangements are being made to hand them over to the appropriate authorities.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops, personnel of other security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes for their courage, cooperation and commitment, which led to the successful rescue of the victims.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the government of President Bola Tinubu and the Department of State Services, DSS, to “immediately withdraw all bogus charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore, and end the continuing harassment and intimidation of him over his peaceful exercise of his human rights”.

SERAP said that “the reported decision by the DSS to seek an adjournment of the case until after the 2027 presidential election does not resolve the fundamental problem: the charges should never have been brought in the first place and must now be withdrawn.”

In a statement today by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The DSS cannot selectively pause a politically sensitive prosecution for electoral convenience while leaving the bogus charges hanging over Sowore. The appropriate response is to withdraw the charges altogether.”

“It is deeply troubling that the DSS reportedly considered suspending the case only after the commencement of the 2027 election campaign.

“The right to participate in public affairs and to criticise government officials cannot depend on the electoral calendar or the discretion of security agencies.”

According to SERAP, “The prosecution of Sowore over his social media comments concerning President Bola Tinubu amounts to an unacceptable use of criminal law and judicial processes to punish, intimidate or silence a prominent critic and political opponent.

“Public officials, including the President, are subject to scrutiny and criticism in a democratic society. The mere fact that an expression is offensive, harsh, insulting or politically inconvenient does not, by itself, justify criminal prosecution.

“The Tinubu government should not weaponise the Cybercrimes Act, criminal defamation provisions or other laws to suppress peaceful criticism, particularly as Nigeria approaches a general election.

“Suspending the Sowore case until after the election is not enough. The bogus charges should be immediately withdrawn.”

SERAP urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and the DSS to withdraw all charges against Omoyele Sowore; direct the DSS and other security and law enforcement agencies to stop using criminal and judicial processes to harass, intimidate or silence journalists, activists, political opponents and other Nigerians peacefully exercising their rights.

Other demands are: ensure that Sowore is able to participate fully and freely in political and public life without harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest or reprisals; ensure that the Cybercrimes Act and other laws are not used to criminalise peaceful criticism, political speech or legitimate journalistic and human rights activities; review all criminal prosecutions and pending cases against journalists, activists and political opponents arising principally from their peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, with a view to withdrawing charges that are inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, and ensure full respect for freedom of expression, freedom of association, political participation, media freedom, the rule of law and judicial independence as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.