Connect with us

Human Rights

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

Published

on

Spread the love

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. 

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement

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). 

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Spread the love
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Breaking News

Education1 day ago

6,500 Fresh Job Seekers Sets To Join Labour Market

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  A total of 6,500 fresh job seekers are now set to join the labour market...

Celebrities1 day ago

Anambra Police PRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, 5 Others Bagged IGP Egbetokun Diligence Awards

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday The Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga and...

Uncategorized2 days ago

Police Authorities Intervene In Shooting Allegations, Sets To Resolve Conflict With Anambra Football Academy

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday The authorities of the Anambra State Police Command are set to intervene by investigating the...

Security2 days ago

Lakurawa: Who Will Save The North From The North?

Spread the loveBy Bola BOLAWOLE  A new terrorist organization called Lakurawa has entered the Nigerian space! It operates in the...

Politics3 days ago

Media Professionals Advocates Skills Acquisition For Students

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  Four Media Professionals, Mr Yemi Olajutemu, Mr. Adeyinka Olanipekun, Mrs. Olanike Olushola and Mr. Ajayi...

Uncategorized3 days ago

Ondo Election: Women NGO Set Standard For INEC, Security Agencies, Political Parties 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  A Non-Governmental Organization known as the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, NWTF, has set a standard...

Security4 days ago

60 Years Old Man Rescued From Kidnappers In Ekiti

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  A 60 years old man popularly known as Alhaji Kayo who is resident at Ara...

Politics5 days ago

Ex-House Of Reps Member, Akintoye Congratulates Aiyedatiwa, Adelami Over Victory At Poll 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Former member of the House of Representatives who represented the good people of Irele...

Politics5 days ago

Ondo Election: CDD Task INEC, Police On Prosecution Of Electoral Offenders

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,...

Politics6 days ago

TAF Africa Seeks More Recognition For Disable People 

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The TAF Africa has sought for more recognition for the disabled people in the Country...

Politics6 days ago

YIAGA Africa Faults Militarisation Of Ondo Election

Spread the love… Advocates Electoral Offences Commission, Political Parties Regulatory Council  By Philip Tayo The YIAGA Africa has faulted the...

Politics6 days ago

Aiyedatiwa Floors Agboola, 12 Others In A Landslide Victory 

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The Incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has floored the former Deputy...

Politics7 days ago

YIAGA Africa Appeals To Ondo Residents As They Awaits Announcement Of Final Results  

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The YIAGA Africa has appealed to the Ondo State residents as they awaits the announcements...

Politics7 days ago

Large Deployment Of Security Personnels Cannot Stop Votes Trading – Nigeria Situation Room 

Spread the love… Commends INEC On Improvement Of  BVAS Functionality  By Philip Tayo  The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has...

Reports7 days ago

Ondo Election: CTA Scores INEC Low On Transportation Logistics For Adhoc Staff

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The Centre for Transparency Advocacy, CTA, has scored the Independent National Electoral Commission low on...

Politics7 days ago

Ondo Election: CDD Carpets Political Parties, Agents Over Vote Buying 

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has carpeted the three major political parties, PDP,...

Politics7 days ago

KDI Exposes 20 Incidences Of Violence Ondo Poll

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  The KIMPACT Development Initiative, KDI, has exposed 20 different incidences of violence during the Ondo...

Politics1 week ago

Ondo Election: YIAGA Africa Hails DSS For Arresting Man Trading Votes

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo YIAGA Africa has hailed the operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, for apprehending...

Reports1 week ago

CSO Optimistic Of Peaceful, Fair, Credible Poll In Ondo

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room of Nigeria has assured the people of Ondo state...

Politics1 week ago

KDI Mulls Reduction Of Polling Units In Ondo

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo A Non-Governmental Organization, KIMPACT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, KDI, has mulled the need to decongest the number...

Trending