Police Target Journalists Over Unpublished Reports
The police claimed they were investigating Ede for alleged conspiracy, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. However, these accusations appear to be a thin veil to justify harassment, as Ede’s supposed “crime” was merely working on an investigative report that involved government officials in Enugu State.
Two respected human rights organisations—the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)—swiftly condemned the police’s actions. They petitioned authorities in Abuja, calling for an independent investigation into the attempt to intimidate a journalist for doing his job.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In 2024, police officers in Abuja summoned Emmanuel Agbo, a Premium Times journalist, over another unpublished story tied to a land dispute. The trend is unmistakable: the police are repeatedly acting as enforcers for powerful interests, rather than as protectors of the law.
Harassment of the Press Is Increasing
Between 2016 and 2020, the International Press Centre (IPC) recorded over 150 documented violations against journalists in Nigeria. The trend has only worsened in recent years. In 2024 alone, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) tracked 110 verified attacks against members of the press—many of them under the dubious justification of enforcing the Cybersecurity Act.
Security agencies have abducted and detained multiple journalists without court orders or due process. Among the victims were:
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Madu Onuorah, Editor-in-Chief of Globalupfront Newspapers
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Segun Olatunji, former Editor of FirstNews online
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Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism
These journalists were arrested while carrying out legitimate investigations. Rather than confront corruption or lawlessness, security forces are now turning their power inward, aiming to silence those who dare to expose the truth.
Cybersecurity Act Used as a Weapon Against the Press
The Cybersecurity Act, originally enacted to combat digital crime, has now become a convenient tool for repressing journalistic freedom. According to the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the law was never meant to criminalise responsible journalism. Yet, under the current administration, it has been routinely misused to justify arrests, detentions, and threats against reporters.
Ironically, these abuses are occurring under President Bola Tinubu, who once benefitted from a free press during Nigeria’s struggle for democracy. Today, his government presides over growing hostility toward media freedom. If the President remains silent, it suggests tacit approval of these oppressive practices.
Press Freedom Is a Cornerstone of Democracy
A democratic society cannot thrive without a free and independent press. Section 22 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution mandates the press to hold the government accountable to the people. Likewise, Section 39(1) guarantees every Nigerian the freedom of expression, including the right to receive and impart information.
Globally, these rights are also protected under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that everyone has the right to freely express opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and share information through any media and across borders.
Nigeria, as a democratic nation, has no justification for curtailing these freedoms. When journalists are threatened for doing their jobs, democracy itself is weakened.
Legal Alternatives Exist for Grievances
There are proper legal channels for addressing alleged defamation or misinformation. These include:
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Filing a civil suit in court
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Petitioning the National Media Complaints Commission, also known as the Ombudsman
The use of law enforcement to intimidate or detain journalists circumvents due process and violates both national and international legal standards.
Civil Society and the Public Must Act
The burden of defending press freedom cannot rest on journalists alone. All Nigerians—including lawyers, academics, civil society organisations, and private citizens—must unite to push back against these attacks. They must:
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Call for legislative reforms – The National Assembly should immediately review and amend the Cybersecurity Act, the Criminal Code Act, and defamation laws to ensure they reflect democratic values.
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Hold security agencies accountable – Law enforcement officers who harass journalists must be investigated and punished.
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Demand government transparency – Citizens must pressure elected officials to uphold freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.
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Support independent media – Nigerians must stand in solidarity with reporters and media houses that are targeted for uncovering uncomfortable truths.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher
Attempts to silence journalists are, at their core, attempts to weaken democracy and suppress the truth. Without a robust press, there can be no transparency. Without transparency, there can be no accountability. And without accountability, tyranny takes root.
The actions of the police and security agencies are not just an affront to media professionals—they are a threat to every Nigerian’s right to know the truth. They signal a dangerous slide into authoritarianism that must be resisted by every democratic means possible.
Now more than ever, Nigerians must not stay silent.
The press is not the enemy of the state. It is a vital instrument of democracy, a beacon of transparency, and a voice for the voiceless. Silencing it will not protect the country; it will only plunge it into deeper injustice and instability.
Every attack on a journalist is an attack on the future of Nigeria’s democracy. That future must be protected—at all costs.
