By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AS JOURNALISTS in Nigeria continue to face persistent attacks, raising serious concerns about their safety, the International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos, has urged media organizations and stakeholders to collaborate on creating a secure environment for reporters across the country.
The IPC said this becomes imperative especially as the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to protect journalists during crises and emergencies.
Also, the IPC expressed deep concern over escalating assaults on journalists, especially during protests such as #EndBadGovernance and #EndSARS.
IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, highlighted how Nigeria continues to rank among nations where press freedom is under severe threat, with numerous attacks going unpunished.
“We must end impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. The safety of journalists and freedom of the press are pillars of democracy,” Arogundade stressed, urging security agencies to investigate these incidents thoroughly.
Documentation by the IPC’s Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub records over 40 cases of harassment, physical assault, unlawful arrests, and destruction of property affecting more than 65 media professionals within the past nine months.
The month of August alone, marked by the nationwide End Bad Governance protests, saw a significant spike in incidents.
IPC also listed documented attacks on journalists:
Benard Akede of News Central TV faced harassment and was barred from live broadcasting by police officers and Lagos State government officials.
Ibrahim Isah from TVC News was physically assaulted by hoodlums in Kano.
Yakubu Mohammed from Premium Times had his camera equipment destroyed during a physical altercation with police officers in Abuja.
Journalists on board a Channels TV vehicle faced vehicle vandalism by hoodlums in Kano.
Female journalist Mary Adeboye from News Central TV suffered teargas exposure from police officers in Abuja.
In his reaction, Mr. Arogundade emphasized the urgent need for media stakeholders to hold authorities accountable and urged the Nigerian Presidency and the Inspector General of Police to act on unresolved cases.
He also demanded that security forces prioritize journalists’ safety and protect democratic rights, underscoring the public’s right to be informed about governance.
He also stressed that the IPC continues its commitment to press freedom and urges all involved stakeholders to confront and combat the culture of impunity that endangers media practitioners across Nigeria.
