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Summary of 2024 Documentation of Attacks on Journalists in Nigeria

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Summary of 2024 Documentation of Attacks on Journalists in Nigeria
No. Cases Reported from January 2024 – December 2024Date of AttackStatus of Cases  
1. Men of the Abia State Police Command invaded the Abia Breaking News ABN TV in Umuahia and forcibly arrested a guest during a live programme. https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1747536966147609013?s=08  16th January, 2024The Commissioner of Police (CP) issued a public apology and the officers faced trial. https://thesun.ng/abia-tv-invasion-4-policemen-face-room-trial/
    
2.Kasarachi Aniagolu a reporter with Whistle Newspapers was unlawfully arrested, assaulted and detained and her working equipment confiscated by Officers of the Nigerian Police Force operating within the FCT, Abuja while performing her journalistic duties while filming a raid on Bureau de change (BDC) operators in Wuse Zone 4 https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/02/22/the-whistler-condemns-unlawful-detention-of-its-reporter-kasarachi-aniagolu/ 21st February, 2024The Whistle Newspapers only issued a statement to condemn the incident, but it was not taken up lawfully.  
    
3.Tracy Suo Chappelle a reporter with Wazobia FM/Super Sport FM was physically assaulted and beaten to a pulp while driving home from work by four (4) occupants of a car that rammed in Tracy’s car from behind while observing a precautionary slow-down movement on the Lekki Expressway https://www.facebook.com/share/ej2yKrUUhfuJede2/?mibextid=oFDknk29th February, 2024The Sports Journalists Forum (SJF) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) issued statements to condemn the assault on their member and commended the prompt action of the Police is investigating the incident, but no further information was given. https://blueprint.ng/swan-demands-justice-for-assaulted-sports-writer-commiserates-with-kwara-chapter-over-loss-of-veteran-journalist/
    
4.Ebule Anthony Metsese, Editor-in-Chief of Fresh Angle International Newspaper alleged reported threats on his life as a result of controversial developments in Warri Kingdom and occasional patronage of the news medium by some persons https://www.facebook.com/share/p/B42n1q6ZCXdEmYMs/?mibextid=Nif5oz  2nd March, 2024The case was only reported in the media and I-CSPJ among other stakeholders issued statements calling on security operatives to ensure his safety https://newsdotafrica.com/i-cspj-decries-threats-on-threats-on-journalist-ebule-anthony-metseses-life/
    
5.Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper was blindfolded, abducted and flown to the FCT from his home in Lagos State by military men on claims about certain stories that FirstNews had published. https://newspotng.com/how-soldiers-blindfolded-tortured-me-in-abuja-cell-abducted-editor/15th March, 2024Segun Olatunji regained his freedom after spending nearly two weeks in the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) detention. His release followed sustained pressure by media stakeholders/bodies/groups who demanded the release of the abducted editor.
    
6.Bukky Shonibare, the Chair of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Board of Trustees was threatened by the Nigeria Police Force to produce Fisayo Soyombo, FIJ’s Executive Director & Editor-in-Chief. https://businessday.ng/news/article/police-insist-fijs-bot-chair-must-produce-fisayo-soyombo-over-published-investigation/26th March, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
7.Joshua Rogers, a Rivers Channels TV reporter was kidnapped while driving his official Channels TV branded car by gunmen close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt. He was returning from his official assignment in government house. The gunmen demanded a N30million ransom for his release. https://newsonlineng.com/breaking-rivers-channels-tv-reporter-kidnapped-in-port-harcourt/11th April, 2024Joshua Rogers was later released after 24hrs in captivity. https://www.thecable.ng/abducted-channels-tv-reporter-regains-freedom-after-24-hours-in-captivity/
    
8.Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos was harassed by the Department of State Services (DSS) officials at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while he was preparing to board a late-night Air France flight to Berlin, Germany to participate in the respective general meetings and conferences of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) https://saharareporters.com/2024/04/16/international-press-centre-condemns-dss-over-persistent-harassment-violation-rights11th April, 2024International Press Centre and other stakeholders issued press statements calling on the DSS to desist from consistent harassment of the Executive Director.  
    
9.Dennis Agbo a reporter for Vanguard in Enugu escaped death by the whiskers after he and four (4) other persons were brutally attacked by armed youths from Neke Community in Isi -Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. https://thenationonlineng.net/land-dispute-armed-youths-attack-journalist-four-others-in-enugu-community/21st April, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
10.Daniel Ojukwu a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) was abducted and detained for days for alleged violation of the 2015 Cybercrime Act by the Nigerian Police. He was held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos State https://thecjid.org/cwppf-condemns-arrest-and-detention-of-journalist-daniel-ojukwu-by-the-nigerian-police/1st May, 2024The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection & Press Freedom (CWPPF) which IPC is a member and other stakeholders issued press statements calling for the immediate release of the journalist. His release followed sustained pressure by media stakeholders who demanded his release.
    
11.Idris Yau a reporter with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) was hit by a stray bullet during an event to mark the World Press Freedom Day inside the government house in Kano State. https://dailygistonline.com.ng/breaking-stray-bullet-hits-nigerian-journalist-inside-govt-house/3rd May, 2024Police Officers stationed at the government house launched an investigation into the source of the gunshot as they were working to determine where it came. No further information was given.
    
12.Jamilu of Trust TV was unlawfully detained by Hisbah Officers and his phone confiscated at Katsina State.15th May, 2024Sufficient information was not provided.
    
13.Dayo Aiyetan, the Publisher of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and reporter Nurudeen Akewushola were unlawfully detained for nine (9) hours by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre at FCT, Abuja.  https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/05/icir-director-reporter-lawyers-detained-by-police/28th May, 2024Dayo Aiyetan and Nurudeen Akewushola were released after nine (9) hours in detention.
    
14.Madu Onuorah, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Globalupfront Online Newspaper was whisked away by about ten (10) fully armed men of the Nigerian Police Force from his residence in Lugbe, Abuja. Police abduct another Editor in Abuja – The Shield Online!22nd May, 2024Media stakeholders including IPC issued press statements calling for his immediate release. He was later released after about 48hours in detention. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/697658-after-about-48-hours-in-detention-police-free-globalupfront-editor-in-chief.html?tztc=1
    
15. Precious Eze, the Publisher of News Platform Online Newspaper was arrested and detained by Policemen at his residence in Lagos. He was alleged to have been detained in line with complaint over reports published about a prominent businessman and politician. https://punchng.com/police-detain-journalist-over-report-on-lagos-businessman/27th May, 2024Precious Eze was released after spending ten (10) days in police custody. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8NX_TtWtgQ
    
16.Emmanuel Agbo a reporter with Premium Times was summoned from the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (NPF-IRT), Abuja over a yet-to-be-published report he was working on. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/700763-police-invite-premium-times-over-yet-to-be-published-story.html31st May, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
17.Emmanuel Nwazue, the correspondent of Afia TV in Umuahia, Abia State was attacked and assaulted by two security guards attached to a branch of the First City Monument Bank on Akanu Ibiam Way (Bank Road), Umuahia, while monitoring the compliance with the indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress. https://punchng.com/bank-guards-attack-journalist-monitoring-labour-strike-in-abia/#google_vignette3rd June, 2024The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection & Press Freedom (CWPPF) which IPC is a member and other stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/702343-group-condemns-attack-on-journalist-by-fcmb-security-guards.html?tztc=1
    
18.Gabriel Idibia, the Kaduna State correspondent of the Daily Times Newspaper was brutally beaten up, arrested and detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) police station Gabasawa, Kaduna State while taking pictures of a large herd of cattle being shepherded by the police on the expressway. Coalition Berates Unlawful Arrest, Detention Of Daily Times Correspondent, Gabriel Idibia – The Pin Point News11th June, 2024Gabriel Idibia was granted bail on self-recognition.
    
19.Joel Waksi an On-Air Personality (OAP) with Atar Communication, owners of Liberty TV/Radio, was reportedly found dead in Abuja, five days after he was declared missing. He was said to have left his office around 9pm on the said day and was expected to report back to duty by 2pm the following day at the Mpape office of the station. Missing journalist found dead in Abuja – TheConclaveNg19th June, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
20. Abdulgafar Alabelewe a journalist with the Nation Newspaper and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council and Abdul Raheem Abdu a journalist with Blueprint Newspaper were abducted by bandits who invaded their community in Kaduna State. They were abducted alongside their wives and children. Bandits Abduct Two Journalists, Families in Kaduna – Frank Talk | Education News Blog6th July, 2024The victims were released after seven (7) days in captivity. https://punchng.com/breaking-kaduna-journalists-families-freed-after-seven-days-in-captivity/#:~:text=To%20the%20glory%20of%20God,their%20families%20have%20been%20released
    
21.Armed robbers invaded Pioneer Newspaper, Akwa Ibom State Newspaper outfit, and killed one of the security guards, Edet Obot. They also carted away with valuables like generator set, televisions and wire cables. Armed robbers invade A/Ibom newspaper outfit, kill security guard12th July, 2024The Police Public Relations Officer of Akwa Ibom State Command confirmed through media report that the police was investigating the incident, but no further information was published or reported.
    
22.Benard Akede a reporter with News Central Television was harassed by police officers and barred from conducting a live broadcast of the ‘End Bad Governance’ protest in Lagos State.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
23.Ibrahim Musa a correspondent of Television Continental (TVC) was attacked by youths protesting under the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria movement banner in Kano State. He was attacked while reporting activities of the protesters in the state. The attackers who were members of the protesting group, were armed with machetes and other weapons. https://wp.me/p87zHy-1fn1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
24.Eleven (11) journalists who were conveyed in a branded Channels Television vehicle and going to cover the #Endbadgovernance protest were attacked by hoodlums who vandalized their vehicle and attempted to assault the journalists on board.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*1st August, 2024The journalists affected managed to escape but their vehicle was damaged.   IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
25.Yakubu Mohammed, a reporter with Premium Times was physically assaulted by police officers who also destroyed cameras of journalists covering the events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in FCT, Abuja. https://l.kphx.net/s?d=4957975492551025188&extra=Q1RSWT1ORyZMTkc9ZW4tR0I=&g=ac4d378cb897487e13aa2401dffe2efc1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
26.Jide Oyekunle, a reporter with Daily Independent Newspaper was unlawfully arrested by police officers while covering the events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in FCT, Abuja.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*1st August, 2024The Police denied arresting him and claimed to have taken him away for safety. https://www.thecable.ng/he-was-taken-away-for-safety-police-deny-arresting-abuja-journalist-covering-protest/
    
27.Mary Adeboye a reporter with News Central Television was tear gassed by Police officers who were trying to disperse the #Endbadgovernance protesters in FCT, Abuja. She sustained a leg injury.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*  1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
28.A team of journalists led by Joseph Abasi-Abasi of Nigerian Tribune were assaulted by hoodlums while covering events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in Cross River Sate. https://l.kphx.net/s?d=4758467449800397832&extra=Q1RSWT1ORyZMTkc9ZW4tR0I=&g=ac4d378cb897487e13aa2401dffe2efc1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
29.Jonathan Ugbal, the Managing Editor of Cross River Watch was unlawfully arrested and detained while covering events of the #Endbadgovernance protest at Cross River State.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*  1st August, 2024He was released after a few hours.
    
30.Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper and Lucy of Pointer Newspaper were attacked by anti-protesters while covering events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in Delta State. The journalists were taking photos and interviewing the protesters when the anti-protesters smashed their gadgets and attacked them. https://punchng.com/endbadgovernanceinnigeria-anti-protesters-attack-punch-guardian-sahara-correspondents/1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
31.Olukayode Jayeola a reporter with Punch Newspaper was unlawfully arrested and his working tools and personal belongings confiscated by Police officers while covering events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in FCT, Abuja.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
32.Masked security operatives shot sporadically at a vehicle conveying journalists from The Punch Newspaper, The Cable, Premium Times and Peoples Gazette while covering events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in FCT, Abuja. https://punchng.com/breaking-security-operatives-shoot-at-protesters-journalists-in-abuja/1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
33.  Nine (9) journalists with Radio Ndarasson Internationale were unlawfully arrested while covering the events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in Borno State.   *Live field monitoring report*1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
34.News Central Television crew were physically assaulted by thugs while covering the events of the #Endbadgovernance protest in Lagos State.   *Live broadcast (television) monitoring report*1st August, 2024IPC among other media stakeholders issued press statements condemning the incident and others which took place during the ’End Bad Governance’ protest.
    
35.Abdulrasheed Hammad a freelance journalist in Sokoto State was arrested, detained, harassed incessantly by the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over report he published. https://fij.ng/article/dss-harassing-journalist-for-exposing-unregistered-sachet-water-factory-in-sokoto/15th August, 2024He was released and forced to write a letter of apology to the person who his report was directed at. https://mfwa.org/issues-in-focus/nigerias-security-agents-step-up-attacks-on-journalists-in-total-impunity/
    
36.Ayomide Eweje the Managing Editor, Alimosho Today, Wisdom Okezie, a former reporter with the news organisation and Oluwamodupe Akinola, the Publisher of the news medium were summoned by the Nigeria Police to report to the office of the Assistant IGP, Zone 2 Command over an undisclosed investigation. https://guardian.ng/news/police-summon-three-journalists/22nd August, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
37.Ajilete 92.1FM, Oyo State was invaded by armed robbers who carted away with equipment valued in millions of naira. The armed robbers also injured the station’s security guard. Armed Robbers Invade FM Station In Oyo, Cart Away Equipment (Photos) – Naijalamp24th August, 2024The incident was reported to the Police who visited the station to assess the situation, but no further information was given.
    
38.Adejuwon Soyinka, the ex-BBC Pidgin Service Editor was unlawfully detained, and his International Passport seized at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. https://gistsmate.com/breaking-dss-arrests-ex-bbc-editor-adejuwon-soyinka-at-lagos-airport/25th August, 2024He was released on bail after spending six (6) hours in detention. His International Passport was also released five (5) days after it was seized. https://www.thecable.ng/dss-releases-ex-bbc-editor-adejuwon-soyinka/
    
39.Muktar Dahiru, a reporter with Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM was unlawfully arrested, secretly charged with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and intentional insult before a magistrate court. He was remanded in prison for sharing media content deemed critical of Kano State government officials, including the State Governor, Abba Yusuf and the reinstated Emir, Lamido Sanusi. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/729514-journalist-in-prison-for-sharing-content-critical-of-kano-governor-emir.html29th August, 2024He was granted 1million naira bail by the magistrate court after spending days in police custody. The case was then adjourned, and he was banned from posting content on social media that may be deemed offensive to the officials of the State government. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/730980-court-grants-bail-to-journalist-who-shared-content-critical-of-kano-governor-emir.html
    
40.Four (4) bloggers, Precious Eze of News Platform, Olawale Rotimi of National Monitor, Rowland Olonishu of NewsHob Magazine and Seun Odunlami of Newsjaunts Online were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos State for allegedly cyberstalking and spreading false information aimed at insulting the CEO at GT Holding Company, Segun Agbaje. https://punchng.com/court-remands-four-bloggers-for-cyberstalking-false-publications/25th September, 2024The case is ongoing. The affected bloggers were re-arraigned on fresh charges with no bail granted. https://punchng.com/four-bloggers-re-arraigned-for-cyberstalking-gtco/  
    
41.Tife Owolabi, Chairman of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Bayelsa State, Jacobson Park of People’s 93.1FM and some other journalists were physically assaulted and sustained injuries as some political thugs attacked the venue of a press briefing organised by the Sagbama Local Government Chapter of the All-Progressives Congress in Yenagoa. BREAKING: Hoodlums Linked To APC Attack, Injure Journalists In Bayelsa As Sagbama Party Chair Suspends 7 Members | Sahara Reporters13th October, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    
42.Urban Radio 94.5FM Station, Enugu was invaded by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Officials. The officials over-powered the staff of the station who they alleged intimidated with arms, forced them to sit on the bare floor, took their phones, and went straight into the live studio of the station and whisked away the anchor of an interactive program, PRIME TIME, that was going on live at the time of the invasion. https://sahelreporters.com/spj-hub-calls-for-investigation-punishment-of-efcc-officials-over-invasion-of-radio-station-in-enugu/14th October, 2024The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) condemned EFCC and apologised for their incursion into the radio station. https://www.ndr.org.ng/nbc-condemns-invasion-of-urban-fm-apologises-to-listeners/  
    
43.Fisayo Soyombo, investigative journalist and Publisher of online newspaper, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) was unlawfully arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. JUST-IN: Army Detains Journalist Fisayo Soyombo In Rivers26th November, 2024He was released within 24hrs after public outcry. He spent three days in detention. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/757910-updated-nigerian-army-releases-journalist-fisayo-soyombo.html
    
44.Gregory Mmaduakolam of News Agency of Nigeria was abducted by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State where he went to inspect a landed property. Kidnappers Release NAN Journalist After Collecting Huge Ransom – Vital News5th December, 2024He was released after a huge payment of ransom by his family. He spent two(2) days in custody of his abductors.
    
45.A correspondent of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Edo State was unlawfully arrested by the State Governor’s security aides during a live broadcast of the budget presentation. https://www.truthlivenews.com/breaking-nta-correspondent-arrested-over-okpebholos-budget-broadcast-gaffe/10th December, 2024The case was only reported in the media.
    

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