(DDM) – A journalist in Awka, Anambra State, Mr. Izunna Okafor, has accused police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers attached to the Anambra State House of Assembly of harassment, physical assault, intimidation, and illegal detention during an assignment on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
DDM gathered that Okafor, who works with Onyokomita News and Igbo Radio, narrated his experience as a shocking display of overzealous conduct by security personnel who he said abused lawful authority within a public institution.
The incident reportedly erupted as he attempted to access the Assembly Complex to cover the 2026 budget defence of Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka.
Okafor said the confrontation began when officers at the gate shouted at him to reverse and park outside the premises despite identifying himself as a journalist on official duty.
He explained that he could see the Commissioner inside the building already engaging with other reporters, yet the officers insisted he must call the Commissioner personally to verify his presence.
He stated that both the Ministry Information Officer, Mrs. Azuka Offor, and the House PRO, Mr. Emma Madu, were already busy interviewing the Commissioner and could not immediately respond.
Okafor said he suggested that the officers escort him inside to confirm his identity and evict him if his mission was invalid.
He said the officers refused and physically pushed him back when he attempted to step forward.
Sensing that the incident was escalating, Okafor activated his phone’s audio recorder.
He said the officers became enraged after noticing the recording, immediately seized his two phones, stopped the recording, and began searching through his devices.
He questioned why they felt threatened by a recording if they were acting within lawful procedure.
By the time the Commissioner finished the media session, Okafor said he had already missed the assignment entirely due to the confrontation.
He narrated that when he asked for his phones to leave, the officers declined and instead summoned the House PRO, who described the matter as “complex” before walking away.
Okafor alleged that the officers then ordered him into the complex to “clear himself” before the Commissioner.
He followed them, but the officers attempted to interrupt the Commissioner’s private conversation before they were stopped by a ministry staff member.
He said a female officer told Hon. Noble Igwe, Member representing Ogbaru I Constituency, that they intended to detain him at B-Division “to teach him a lesson.”
Okafor said the lawmaker supported the officers and accused him of “insulting the House.”
He said the officers then dragged him by his trousers toward their detention post at the gate despite the Commissioner trying to intervene.
At the post, he said they ordered him to sit on the floor and called him “an enemy of the police.”
He claimed he overheard discussions about handcuffing him.
After a long wait, Okafor said he was forced into a vehicle for possible transfer to B-Division.
He said that a female officer recorded him secretly inside the vehicle but later stopped when confronted.
He stated that as the vehicle approached the exit, it was recalled for further discussions involving the Commissioner and the lawmaker.
The Commissioner reportedly recommended resolving the matter internally.
Okafor said the officers demanded he write an apology letter and sign an undertaking before release.
He said several witnesses objected to the demand, and he was released without signing anything.
Before returning his belongings, he said he was forced to play back his earlier audio recording.
He alleged that the House Member instructed that the file be deleted and directed his aide to remove it.
Okafor said he overheard officers boasting that they had successfully “taught him a lesson.”
He later contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Okafor said Ikenga described the incident as a “protocol issue” and advised that future invitations be sent via text message.
He insisted that the actions of the officers raised broader concerns about professionalism and abuse of power in public institutions.
He said unlawful force, seizure of devices, and threats of detention undermine public trust and democratic values.
Reacting, the Anambra State Police Command denied the allegations and insisted no journalist was detained.
The Police PRO said officers only enforced routine protocol meant to protect the complex.
Ikenga added that inquiries showed the journalist’s inviter was not part of the Assembly staff.
He said the Command remained committed to maintaining a cordial relationship with the media.