Sanwo-Olu’s CSO, Kunle Fagbemi, Under Fire For Harassing Journalists At Lagos Empowerment Event

By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Fagbemi, is at the centre of a storm after he allegedly harassed and verbally assaulted members of the governor’s press crew during a major empowerment event at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Saturday.

The incident occurred during a high-profile programme organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The initiative was designed to empower 1,000 women across Lagos State, but the spotlight was quickly stolen by Fagbemi’s explosive confrontation with journalists.

Eyewitnesses recounted that Fagbemi suddenly intercepted the governor’s press crew as they arrived in their official media bus. In full glare of dignitaries and passersby, the CSO allegedly halted the vehicle and launched into a tirade, accusing the journalists of being “disruptive” and “unprofessional.”

“He hurled abusive words at journalists as if we were criminals,” said one visibly shaken reporter. “This is unacceptable. We were simply doing our jobs, yet we were treated with hostility by someone whose duty is to protect, not intimidate.”

Another journalist, who was not part of the Governor’s press crew but had been invited to cover the event, described the treatment as “not only unfortunate but pitiable.” He added:

“How could a security officer treat journalists, professionals, family men, respected community leaders—in such a demeaning manner? Imagine, he even rated journalists lower than the Governor’s slippers!”

But fear gripped many of the journalists who witnessed the ordeal. Several declined to reveal their identities, alleging that Fagbemi threatened to ensure they were “treated accordingly” if they dared to challenge him.

What is more disturbing, however, is that this is not the first time the Governor’s CSO has been accused of high-handedness.

Members of the press crew disclosed that Saturday’s incident was part of a recurring pattern.

“This is his style,” one crew member told this NNnews desk. “At the New Year Thanksgiving service organised by the state government at Tafawa Balewa Square, he acted in the same derisive manner. It’s like he has an axe to grind with the press.”

Another recalled a tense moment during a Governor’s visit to Banana Island:

“That day, he harassed members of the crew again. It took the intervention of a superior police officer on the scene to calm him down. He behaves like a demigod. He is fond of harassing and threatening us each time we go out with the Governor on assignment.”

The repeated allegations have sparked outrage across media circles, with calls mounting for Governor Sanwo-Olu to urgently investigate and rein in his CSO.

Media unions and rights advocates argue that such intimidation not only undermines press freedom but also erodes the Governor’s image and credibility with the very journalists who cover his activities.

As one journalist put it: “If this continues unchecked, it won’t just be about harassment, it will be about using intimidation into silence the press altogether.”