Thugs invade Lagos SWAN secretariat, chase members away ... As Congress inaugurate SWANECO
It was a show of shame on Tuesday as some thugs, allegedly on the order of the suspended chairman of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Lagos chapter chased members of the congress who were gathered to inaugurate Electoral Committee for the December elections.
October 7, 2025
Thugs invade Lagos SWAN secretariat, chase members away
... As Congress inaugurate SWANECO
It was a show of shame on Tuesday as some thugs, allegedly on the order of the suspended chairman of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Lagos chapter chased members of the congress who were gathered to inaugurate Electoral Committee for the December elections.
Members got to the secretariat as early as 9.00pm to discover that the place had been locked with stern looking thugs armed with weapons warning the SWAN members to stay or incur their wrath.
Fearing danger, the interim chairman appointed by the National SWAN, Aaron Akerejola had to arrange another venue to hold the congress with over 50 members attending,
At the end, the Lagos State SWAN inaugurated a new electoral committee (SWANECO) headed by Patrick Omorodion of Vanguard Newspaper as chairman with the task to organising free and fair elections.
Other members of the approved electoral committee are Anulika Menanya of Voice of Nigeria, McAnthony Anaelechukwu, Soliu Adeyemo, and Michael Nnabuchi.
The congress did not hold back in its criticism of the suspended duo, Olatutu Oladunni, Lagos SWAN Chairman, and Bello Omotunde, Secretary, accusing them of deploying intimidation tactics.
These included the use of non-state actors (thugs) and some identified members of the Department of State Security (DSS) who told members they were under strict instructions to stop the planned congress convened in line with the SWAN statutes to determine the association’s future with whatever means necessary.
Speaking during the congress, Akerejola thanked members for showing up on short notice, describing it as a positive sign in the collective effort to rescue the association from individuals who have used it for personal gain. He emphasised the need to reposition SWAN to better serve all members, in line with the vision of its founding fathers.
In a strongly worded resolution, the congress called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh; and the Area Commander of Area C Police Command to call their officers to order.
The congress urged them to focus on national security and critical internal issues, rather than allowing their personnel to be used as tools for intimidating law-abiding citizens.