Kogi Police Deny Harassing UNILORIN Lecturer Olorunsuwa Arrested Over WhatsApp Post On Road Project | Sahara Reporters

SaharaReporters had reported on September 16 that Olorunsuwa, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, was arrested at about 5am at his residence in Ilorin by a team of police officers.

The Kogi State Police Command has denied allegations that it harassed, intimidated or violated the rights of a University of Ilorin lecturer, Chief Elijah Olorunsuwa, following his arrest over a social media publication concerning the Kabba-Olle-Iluke road project.

The Command said Olorunsuwa was arrested following a formal petition by the Kogi State Government over what it described as false and misleading information published about the state-sponsored road project.

The police made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, in response to the controversy surrounding the arrest and recent criticism of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nasiru Bello Kankarofi.

According to the statement, Olorunsuwa was arrested in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday, September 16, and taken to Lokoja, Kogi State, for investigation.

The Command said the lecturer made a statement during questioning and subsequently wrote and signed an apology to the Kogi State Government over his publication concerning the Kabba-Olle-Iluke road.

The police claimed that in a letter titled, “Retraction and Apology to Kogi State Government on My Publication on Kabba-Olle-Iluke Road,” Olorunsuwa acknowledged that he had initially stated that the road project was being funded by the World Bank based on information available to him at the time.

“Recent information has however confirmed that the said road construction is a sole project of the Kogi State Government,” he was quoted as writing.

The police also claimed that he apologised to the state government, saying the publication was not intended to embarrass the government.

The Kogi State Government has maintained that the road project is solely financed by the state. A report published by Radio Kogi on September 21 said the state’s bidding process for the project had been approved by the State Executive Council and that there was no evidence linking the project to the World Bank.

The police said Olorunsuwa was released on administrative bail on September 16 to one Ojo Johnson and directed to return the following morning, September 17, to assist with the investigation.

The Command insisted that the lecturer was neither harassed nor intimidated and was not unlawfully detained.

It also rejected descriptions of Commissioner Kankarofi in connection with the matter, describing him as a disciplined and professional officer with a record of service and respect for human rights.

The Command said it would continue to work with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect lives and property across Kogi State.

SaharaReporters had reported on September 16 that Olorunsuwa, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, was arrested at about 5am at his residence in Ilorin by a team of police officers.

Sources told SaharaReporters at the time that about eight officers arrived in a black Hilux vehicle and took the lecturer away, with the officers reportedly heading towards Kogi State.

The reason for the arrest was not immediately known at the time.

A public commentator and youth leader from Kogi State, Monday Job Sesere, had alleged that the arrest was ordered by Kogi State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara. The claim could not independently be verified at the time.

The Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had also told SaharaReporters that she was unaware of the arrest but said any interstate arrest by Kogi officers would have to follow the relevant protocols.

The development followed a dispute over comments Olorunsuwa made about the Kabba-Olle-Iluke road project.

According to reports cited by SaharaReporters, Olorunsuwa had commented in an Oke-Offin community WhatsApp group that the road project was being sponsored by the World Bank, with the Kogi Government expected to provide counterpart funding.

Omodara, however, disputed the claim, saying the project was solely funded by the Kogi State Government. He reportedly petitioned the police, accusing Olorunsuwa of making false and malicious publications capable of misleading members of the public and discrediting the government.

Olorunsuwa had said he initially deleted the WhatsApp comment after elderly members of the community appealed to him to do so. He also said he was subsequently asked to issue a retraction.

Omodara, on the other hand, maintained that Olorunsuwa had refused to retract the claim, leading to the petition to the police.

The circumstances of Olorunsuwa’s arrest also attracted attention because the reported arrest took place at about 5am, nine days after Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed security agencies in Kogi State to stop making night arrests.

On September 7, Ododo told first-class traditional rulers in Lokoja that security agencies should not arrest citizens at night or invade their homes under the cover of darkness.

“No arrest should be made in the night. If you have any case against anybody, wait till daytime, follow due process, invite the person lawfully,” the governor said.

He also said his administration would not allow residents to be harassed, intimidated or unlawfully detained, stressing that security operations should be conducted in a lawful and humane manner.

The controversy intensified on Monday, September 21, when human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore called for the removal of Commissioner Kankarofi.

Sowore accused the commissioner of facilitating what he described as repeated arrests and intimidation of citizens and political critics under the administration of Governor Ododo.

“The Nigeria Police Force must never become an instrument for suppressing free speech, silencing dissent or settling political scores on behalf of any governor,” Sowore said.

He argued that Kogi residents had the right to criticise the government and peacefully express dissent.