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HURIWA Criticizes Escalating Suppression of Journalists in Nigeria
The Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has denounced the growing harassment and intimidation of journalists across Nigeria, expressing concern that this increasing climate of impunity threatens press freedom and democracy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
HURIWA’s alarm follows the recent summoning of three journalists from Alimosho Today, a community news platform in Lagos, by the Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Zone 2 Command.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, disclosed yesterday that the journalists—Wisdom Okezie, a former reporter; Ayomide Eweje, the managing editor; and Oluwamodupe Akinola, the publisher—were summoned to the Zone 2 Command office on August 27.
“The summons were issued through letters dated August 22, 2024, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Martin Nwogoh on behalf of the AIG. The letters did not reveal the complainant’s identity or specify the nature of the inquiry, raising serious concerns about the intentions behind the questioning,” Onwubiko stated.
He warned that such actions promote a “climate of impunity,” where journalists are increasingly targeted simply for doing their jobs.
Onwubiko accused the police of being exploited by public officials and influential figures to stifle the press and criticized the increasing use of security agencies to arrest, detain, or charge journalists under the guise of complaints about media reports without verifying the accuracy of the content.
He also highlighted several disturbing cases of journalists being harassed, detained, and intimidated on dubious grounds, particularly under the Cybercrimes Act.
Among the journalists mentioned were Daniel Ojukwu from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police and held without communication for three days before being transferred to Abuja.
Similarly, Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, was arrested by heavily armed military personnel and detained in an underground cell for 14 days over a report alleging a $30 billion financial scandal involving a high-ranking government official.
Other cases included Kasarachi Aniagolu of The Whistler, who was arrested and assaulted while covering an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raid in Abuja; Achadu Gabriel of Daybreak Newspaper, who was detained and charged with defamation and incitement; and Godwin Tsa of The Sun Newspaper, who was assaulted and detained while reporting on a peaceful protest in Abuja.
Additionally, online publisher Precious Eze was arrested at his Lagos residence, with a special police task force seizing his devices and leaving him incommunicado.
The crackdown extended to the arrest of Informant247 journalists Salihu Ayatullahi and Adisa-Jaji Azeez by the Kwara State Police following their reports linking a state official to financial fraud.
Further incidents involved Saint Mienpamo of NAIJA Live TV, who was arrested over a report on a man allegedly killed by security guards, and Just Events Online publisher Abdulrasaq Babatunde, along with Satcom Media’s Lukman Bolakale, who were detained for 10 days after being summoned by a police unit in Kwara State.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
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