Journalists covering an empowerment programme for 1,000 women at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Saturday, were subjected to verbal assault by Mr. Kunle Fagbemi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The event, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was disrupted when Fagbemi clashed with members of the governor’s press crew.

Eyewitnesses said the senior police officer abruptly stopped the press bus and, in full view of officials and guests, rained insults on journalists, describing them as “disruptive” and “unprofessional.”

Onlookers were stunned as the CSO barked orders and hurled abusive words without provocation. Attempts by reporters to pacify him reportedly fuelled more hostility, with Fagbemi insisting that the press had “crossed their boundaries” within the Lagos House premises.

Although the confrontation did not escalate into physical assault, journalists described the incident as humiliating and alarming, warning that such intimidation poses a threat to press freedom.

The incident has since drawn sharp criticism from media practitioners, who are calling on Governor Sanwo-Olu to caution his security aide and ensure disciplinary measures are taken to forestall a recurrence.

“This was unprovoked harassment,” one journalist said. “We were simply doing our jobs, yet we were treated like intruders.”