SecretReporters News Journalist, Stanley Ugagbe, Arrested And Detained, Whereabouts Unknown

One of  SecretrReporters Senior Reporter Stanley Ugagbe  has been reportedly arrested and detained. According to SecretReportesrs in a statement signed by its Publisher and Editor in Chief it said; “SecretsReporters strongly condemns the reported arrest and continued disappearance of our senior reporter, Mr. Stanley Ugagbe, who was taken from his residence in Jikwoyi Phase II, Abuja, on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, 2026.”

“According to eyewitness accounts available to our organisation, a group of armed men dressed in civilian clothing arrived at Mr. Ugagbe’s residence shortly after he returned from work. The men number four with one of them wearing a shirt and and another carrying an assault rifle confiscated his mobile phones and laptop before taking him away in a black Mitsubishi Pajero SUV with heavily tinted windows and no visible registration number, “ the statement read in parts.

Since the incident, all efforts by SecretsReporters and associates to establish contact with him or determine his whereabouts have been unsuccessful.

Mr. Oliver said; “As of the time of issuing this statement, no security agency has officially acknowledged holding him or disclosed the reason for his reported arrest. We are deeply concerned by information suggesting that the incident may be connected to SecretsReporters’ recent investigative reports involving the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Emem Usoro on her acquisition of over N4 billion USA properties and adultery scandal which is already part of court proceedings.

“While no government agency has officially confirmed the reason for Mr. Ugagbe’s reported arrest, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance raise serious concerns about press freedom, the safety of journalists and the protection of constitutional rights in Nigeria. Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to receive and impart information without interference.”

See Full Statement below

STATEMENT ON ARREST AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF SECRETS REPORTERS NEWS JOURNALIST, STANLEY UGAGBE

SecretsReporters strongly condemns the reported arrest and continued disappearance of our senior reporter, Mr. Stanley Ugagbe, who was taken from his residence in Jikwoyi Phase II, Abuja, on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

According to eyewitness accounts available to our organisation, a group of armed men dressed in civilian clothing arrived at Mr. Ugagbe’s residence shortly after he returned from work. The men number four with one of them wearing a shirt and and another carrying an assault rifle confiscated his mobile phones and laptop before taking him away in a black Mitsubishi Pajero SUV with heavily tinted windows and no visible registration number.

Since the incident, all efforts by SecretsReporters and associates to establish contact with him or determine his whereabouts have been unsuccessful.

As of the time of issuing this statement, no security agency has officially acknowledged holding him or disclosed the reason for his reported arrest. We are deeply concerned by information suggesting that the incident may be connected to SecretsReporters’ recent investigative reports involving the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Emem Usoro on her acquisition of over N4 billion USA properties and adultery scandal which is already part of court proceedings.

While no government agency has officially confirmed the reason for Mr. Ugagbe’s reported arrest, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance raise serious concerns about press freedom, the safety of journalists and the protection of constitutional rights in Nigeria. Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to receive and impart information without interference.

Furthermore, Section 22 of the Constitution places a constitutional responsibility on the media to hold government and public institutions accountable to the people.

SecretsReporters therefore calls on all relevant security agencies to: 1. Immediately disclose the whereabouts and legal status of Mr. Stanley Ugagbe if he is in official custody. 2. Guarantee his safety, welfare and access to his family and legal representatives. 3. Either charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction if there is any lawful allegation against him or release him immediately and unconditionally. 4. Respect the constitutional rights of journalists and refrain from actions capable of intimidating or silencing members of the press for carrying out their professional duties.

We also call on media organisations, civil society groups, human rights organisations, the legal community and all defenders of democracy to closely monitor this matter and lend their voices in defence of press freedom and the rule of law. The safety of journalists is fundamental to democracy. A free press cannot thrive where journalists are subjected to intimidation, unlawful arrest or enforced disappearance. SecretsReporters remains committed to fearless, factual and public-interest journalism. We will continue to pursue the truth professionally, responsibly and in accordance with the law.

Signed Fejiro Oliver (Editor in Chief)

SecretsReporters

Abuja, Nigeria July 1, 2026