The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed serious concerns over the rising number of attacks on journalists by security forces and hoodlums, describing these actions as intentional efforts to hinder the truthful coverage of ongoing protests.
On Thursday, officials from the office of the National Security Adviser detained Kayode Jaiyeola, a photojournalist for The PUNCH, and seized his camera and phones, which have yet to be returned.
In the Federal Capital Territory on Friday, police officers used teargas against journalists at the Berger roundabout protest. On Saturday, masked security operatives fired shots at journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, resulting in bullets piercing a Premium Times reporter’s car, which was carrying journalists from The PUNCH, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.
In Borno State, nine staff members of Radio Ndarason Internationale were detained by security officials in Maiduguri while covering the protests. Other journalists involved in reporting the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have also faced harassment and victimization by security agents and hoodlums.
In a statement on Saturday, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, highlighted that these alarming incidents threaten journalists’ safety and compromise the integrity of the information available to the public.
“As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter their third day, the International Press Centre in Lagos finds it deeply troubling that journalists covering these events continue to be targeted and assaulted by security officials, hoodlums, and anti-protesters,” Akinjiyan stated. “IPC condemns this inhumane treatment of media professionals who are fulfilling their role as societal watchdogs.
“Data collected by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room shows a growing number of media professionals facing various forms of attack, including physical assault, harassment, and unlawful detention.
“IPC believes these escalating attacks aim to prevent the media from reporting the truth about the protests. This troubling trend jeopardizes both the safety of the journalists involved and the reliability of the information citizens need to understand the full extent of the crisis.”
Akinjiyan urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security leaders to control their personnel.
“IPC calls on the Inspector General of Police and other security agency heads to order their officers to cease these attacks. It is also vital for all stakeholders to unite in condemning the abuse and harassment of journalists and to demand immediate protection for those in the field. Our collective voice is crucial for advocating for their safety and ensuring their essential work continues without hindrance.
“IPC will persist in calling for an end to the brutality and a renewed commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all journalists,” Akinjiyan concluded.
