The International
Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria has said there should be urgent justice for
all attacked journalists in the country through investigation and diligent
prosecution of the alleged perpetrators.
IPC made the call
today as journalists, other media professionals and freedom of expression
groups mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
IPC said it was
unfortunate that Nigeria continues to rank high among countries where press
freedom and freedom of expression are under threat stating that the database of
its Safety Alert Desk reveals not less than fourteen incidents of assault,
threat, battery, arrest, kidnap, killing and invasion involving journalists and
media institutions within the last one year.
These include:
1. Jerry
Edoho of Ibom Nation Akwa-Ibom State:
He was picked up in Uyo by police personnel from the Force headquarters in
Abuja on 6th of January. http://punchng.com/police-
2. Nsebiet
John of The Ink Akwa-Ibom State: He was
detained for a night in police cell, arraigned and granted bail to the sum of
#250,000 on the 6th of January.
3. Premium
Times, Abuja: The premises was invaded by armed police men on the 19th January, 2017
4. Dapo
Olorunyomi, Publisher, Premium Times and Evelyn Okakwu, Judiciary correspondent:
Both were arrested by armed police men on the night of January 19, 2017.
5. Godwin
Aliuna of National Mirror, Ebonyi State: He was attacked by alleged armed
robbers in his residence on the 22nd of February, 2017- http://www.informationng.com/
6. Famous Giobaro, journalist with Bayelsa
state-owned radio station Glory FM 97.1: He was shot dead by suspected hired
assassins on 16th April, 2017.
7.
Samuel Nweze, Publisher of
the People’s Leader: He was shot by gunmen in front of his office in Abakaliki
on the 2nd of June, 2017. http://thenationonlineng.net/
8.
Charles Otu of the
Conscience Newspaper: He was beaten to stupor with dangerous weapons and later
abducted by suspected political thugs in Abakaliki on the 2nd of
June, 2017.
9.
Lawrence Okojie of Nigerian
Television Authority, Benin: He was shot dead by gunmen at 8p.m while returning
from work on the 8th July, 2017. https://www.premiumtimesng.
10. Amadin
Uyi of Silverbird Television, Abuja: He was brutalized by police officers
during the protest by Ourmumudondo
group at Unity Fountain in Abuja on 8th of August, 2017.
11. Segun
Salami of the Channels Television, Kogi: He was battered at the state house
detention centre by security personnel attached to Kogi state government house
on Monday 28th of August, 2017- https://www.vanguardngr.com/
12. NUJ
secretariat, Abia state: Invaded by Nigerian soldiers of Operation Python Dance
on Tuesday 12th of September, 2017 during which some journalists
were assaulted
13. Wale
Odunsi, an editor with Daily Post (online publication): He was reportedly attacked
by security men at the Kogi State government house on the 11th
October, 2017
14. Ikechukwu Ibe of the Daily Trust Newspapers:
He was allegedly brutally assaulted by an Army captain at Jabi area of Abuja on
the 26th of October, 2017
Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said
these were unwelcome development deserving the attention of media stakeholders.
“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. 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,” Arogundade said.
Mr. Arogundade called
on the Police authorities to make public disclosure on what has been done so
far towards unraveling the mystery behind killed journalists in Nigeria.
He also called on
journalists and other media professionals to take their safety more seriously
by keeping abreast with various safety tips for journalists covering dangerous
assignments.
SGD:
Melody
Akinjiyan
Program
Assistant/Safety Desk Officer, IPC
+2348162206470
Lanre Arogundade
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