Investigative journalist and outspoken critic of the Delta State government, Fejiro Oliver, has been arrested in Abuja and transported to Asaba on the reported orders of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, sparking outrage among press freedom advocates and human rights groups.
Sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) apprehended Oliver at his Garki office in Abuja. He was first taken to the FID facility and later moved to the airport for an immediate flight to Asaba, the Delta State capital. Oliver is widely known for his hard-hitting commentaries on governance in Delta State, where he has repeatedly accused Governor Oborevwori of mismanagement and complicity in alleged police oppression of citizens.
The arrest follows a recent war of words between the Delta State government and prominent activists. On September 13, 2025, Governor Oborevwori’s Special Assistant on Media, Okono Kelvin, issued a public threat to human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. Kelvin had reacted angrily after Sowore criticized a controversial state directive banning civil servants from wearing artificial nails, eyelashes, and certain hairstyles—rules Sowore condemned as an attack on personal freedoms.
In a Facebook post laced with coarse language and poor grammar, Kelvin warned Sowore to “stay away from Delta State,” declaring, “This is Delta State, we dey cure mad people here … we dnt play with our Governor here, he’s the most performing Governor in Nigeria.”
Kelvin’s comments drew swift condemnation across social media. Dedevwo Israel Ejiroghene wrote: “Omoyele Sowore is more important and impactful than your Papa Governor Sheriff Oborevwori Amuneke.” Sweet Daddykay Talks added: “This Kelvin ehn! Don’t you think you are being over-zealous? Because of few infrastructural work this Sheriff government don do, you don crown am best governor?” Others, including Ogodogu Oghenekaro and Prince Frank Laju, ridiculed Kelvin’s remarks and warned that such reckless rhetoric could escalate tensions.
Oliver’s arrest is fueling press-freedom concerns, with journalists’ unions and civil society observers calling it a disturbing signal for democracy. Critics argue the detention is an attempt to intimidate independent voices and suppress legitimate scrutiny of the Delta State government.
As of press time, neither Governor Oborevwori nor the Delta State government has issued an official statement on the arrest, while law-enforcement authorities have yet to clarify the specific charges against Oliver. Human rights advocates are urging his immediate release and demanding that the federal government uphold constitutional protections for freedom of expression and the press.
This unfolding incident underscores a deepening conflict between journalists and state authorities in Nigeria, igniting national debate over the limits of governmental power and the urgent need to protect investigative reporting.
