IPC Expresses Worry Over Increasing Spate Of Attacks On Journalists In Nigeria 

By Joseph Sunday 

The International Press Centre, IPC, has expressed its worry over the increasing spate of attacks recorded on journalists in Nigeria since the beginning of the year 2024 till date. 

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The IPC Press Freedom Officer, Mrs Melody Akinjiyan stated the above in a press statement she signed and made available to media houses across the Country in commemoration of the year 2024 celebrations of the International Day To End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists.

Melody in the statement called on Media Stakeholders in the Country to strengthen the cooperation for the enabling of safe environment for journalists to operate and work freely. 

She equally stressed the need for media and relevant stakeholders to work in greater partnership to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists to operate.

The IPC Freedom Officer speaking further, hammered on the importance of embracing the theme for the year 2024 International Day To End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists which centres on the “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies” in the Country which has remained unguaranteed as evidenced by attacks on the media and journalists during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests and previous ones such as #EndSars.

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IPC is particularly worried that the perpetrators of the worsening spate of attacks are rarely brought to justice hence the regime of impunity for crimes against journalists continue to reign while the country also continues to rank high among countries where press freedom and freedom of expression are constantly under threat. 

IPC holds that the outcome of the documentation of attacks on journalists by its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, hub is disturbing as the database shows that within the past nine 9 months not less than 40 incidents of physical assault, harassment, threat to life, torture, kidnapping, unlawful arrest/detention, loss/damage of valuables and gadgets such as camera, phones, midgets and money among others and involving over 65 journalists and other media professionals were recorded.

The report revealed that the number of highest cases recorded were in the month of August during the ‘End Bad Governance Protest’ held across the country. 

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In an additional information provided, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said, the precarious situation is unwelcome and deserving of the attention of media stakeholders. 

“We are calling for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. We cannot turn a blind eye to attacks against journalists. We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action, legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press. Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive.

Continuing, he said, “attacks against media institutions and journalists are attacks against democratic rights including the right of the public to know the truth about the way they are governed”, Mr. Arogundade said.

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Arogundade however called on the Presidency to mandate security operatives to carry out the necessary investigations on unresolved cases of attacks on journalists while he also urged the Inspector General of Police to publicly disclose what has so far been done towards unraveling the mystery behind killed journalists in Nigeria.

While giving further details, Melody Akinjiyan said, “journalists like Bernard Akede, Ibrahim Isah, Yakubu Mohammed, Jide Odekunle, Mary Adeboye, Joseph Abasi-Abasi, Jonathan Ugbal, Michael Ochai, Monday Osayande Lucy and Olukayode Jayeola from news mediums like News Central Television, Premium Times, Daily Independent, Nigerian Tribune, Cross River Watch, Punch Newspaper, The Cable, People Gazette and Radio Ndarason Internationale.

She explained that the nature of the attacks involving the above names of journalists are harassment and barring of journalists from conducting live broadcast, physical assault, vehicle vandalism and attempts to assault journalists on board, unlawful arrest and detention, unlawful arrest, destruction of gadgets and working tools, confiscation of camera and personal belongings, and gunshots fired at vehicles conveying journalists. 

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She listed the categories of those who perpetrated the attacks on journalists to include bandits, armed youths, unknown – gunmen and private guards. 

She also added that the various attacks were carried out by people such as the police, LCC officials, hoodlums, anti-protesters, security operative and thugs while the attacks took place in States like Lagos, Kano, FCT – Abuja, Cross Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, Katsina, Abia, Delta, Enough, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto as well as Kwara. 

She also listed the affected media outlets to include print media (10), broadcast media (15), Online Media (23), others (17) and media organizations (2). 

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Other datas verified and made public also includes Male (36), Female – (5), Not applicable / mentioned – (24), Unknown persons – 25, Armed robbers – 2, Hoodlums/thugs – 4, Bandits – 1, Armed youths – 1, Anti -protesters – 1, Unknown gunmen – 1 and Private security guard – 1.

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