IPC raises alarm over attacks on journalists covering protests

The International Press Centre has raised the alarm that increasing attacks on journalists by security agents and hoodlums were deliberate attempts to discourage them from reporting the truth about the protests.

On Thursday, some officials from the office of the National Security Adviser abducted and carted away the camera and phones of The According photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola.

The officials have yet to return his belongings as of the time of filing this report.

On Friday in the Federal Capital Territory, police officers fired teargas at journalists covering the protest at the Berger roundabout.

Also, on Saturday, masked security operatives fired sporadically at journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter’s car conveying journalists out of the location.

The journalists inside the car shot at by security agents are those of The Punch, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.

In Borno State, nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested by security officials in Maiduguri as they were reporting the protests.

Other journalists covering the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest have been harassed and victimized either by security agents or hoodlums.

Lamenting these attacks, IPC in a statement on Saturday by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan stated that the alarming trend jeopardizes the safety of the journalists involved and undermines the integrity of the information that citizens rely on to fully understand the crisis.

He said, “As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter the third day, the International Press Centre, Lagos finds it totally appalling that journalists covering and reporting the protests are still being targeted, victimized and brutally assaulted by security officials, hoodlums and anti-protesters.

“IPC frowns at this inhumane attitude towards the media and press men and women in the course of serving as a societal watchdog.

“Information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that there is a continuous increase in the number of journalists and media professionals who are facing one form of attack or the other including physical assault, harassment, unlawful detention, etc.

“IPC believes these increasing attacks are meant to deter the media from reporting the truth about the protests. This disturbing trend undermines not only the safety of the journalists concerned but also the integrity of the information citizens can rely on to understand the full scope of the crisis.”

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other heads of security agencies to call their men to order.

Akinjiyan said, “IPC reiterates the need for the Inspector General of Police and all other security agencies to call their men on the field to order. It is also crucial that all stakeholders come together to condemn the abuse and harassment of journalists and demand immediate protection for those on the field. Our collective voice is a powerful tool for advocating for their safety and ensuring that their essential work continues unhindered.

“IPC will continue to call for an end to the brutality and for a renewed commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all journalists.”