As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from March 15, 1955, to March 15, 2025, it is imperative that we pause to acknowledge and honor our fallen colleagues, tragic victims of impunity. Every act of violence against journalists—be it intimidation, harassment, or murder—constitutes a fundamental assault on the very principles of democracy and freedom of expression that we hold dear.
By Shu’aibu Usman Leman
As the esteemed journalist and advocate for press freedom, Anna Politkovskaya, astutely observed, “Without journalism, there are no freedoms.” The courageous pursuit of truth by journalists, alongside their unwavering commitment to exposing corruption and injustice, must not be forgotten or overlooked.
The deafening silence surrounding these appalling acts emboldens those who seek to suppress dissent and obscure the truth. Therefore, we stand resolutely in solidarity with the families of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and we must collectively demand justice. Our commendation also extends to the fortitude of survivors, who bear the scars of impunity yet continue their vital work.
It is crucial that we advocate for enhanced protections, accountability, and a culture of safety for journalists. Unless we confront and dismantle this culture of impunity, the future of journalism in Nigeria hangs precariously in the balance. We must remember the sacrifices made and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding their legacy in the fight for truth and justice.
According to the report State of Media Freedom in Nigeria by the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, for the period from 2016 to 2020, Nigeria recorded some of the highest levels of violence targeting journalists. These statistics serve as an indictment of the deficient record on democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, where a lack of transparency, corruption, and the politics of exclusion frequently culminate in frustrations and violent rivalries, creating perilous environments in which journalists become easy targets for powerful forces intent on suppressing dissent.
Acts of impunity against journalists in Nigeria manifest in diverse forms, from murder to harassment and intimidation. The following outlines some of the most concerning instances of acts of impunity perpetrated against members of the press in Nigeria:
- Minere Amakiri (1973): A reporter for the Nigerian Observer, Amakiri had his head forcibly shaved with broken glass in Port Harcourt on the orders of Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Military Governor of Rivers State. His ‘offense’ was reporting grievances of local teachers on the Governor’s 31st birthday.
- Chris Okolie (1977-1978): Founder of New Breed magazine, Okolie was detained after publishing an article deemed unacceptable by the authorities. Thousands of copies were confiscated, and a publication ban was imposed. The magazine resumed publication after nine years.
- Jonathan Ishaku (1985): Editor of The Nigerian Standard in Jos, he was dismissed seven days before his wedding for the newspaper’s criticism of the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
- Dele Giwa (1986): Founding editor of Newswatch magazine, Giwa was assassinated via a parcel bomb. His death, believed to have been orchestrated by the military government, remains unresolved.
- The Liberian Tragedy (1990): Four Nigerian journalists—Tayo Awotunsin, Krees Imodibe (The Guardian), Sunny Taylor (Channels), and George Onyemobi—were killed by Charles Taylor’s NPFL forces while covering Liberia’s civil war.
- The News Magazine Founders (1993): Bayo Onanuga, Dapo Olorunyomi, Babafemi Ojudu, Kunle Ajibade, and Seye Kehinde faced harassment and detention for publishing exposés on military government excesses.
- Tell Magazine Editors (1993): Police raided Tell magazine, arresting Editor-in-Chief Nosa Igiebor and editors Kola Ilori, Onome Osifo-Whiskey, and Ayo Akinkuotu. They were detained for 12 days in retaliation for their investigative journalism.
- The Nigerian Standard 7 (1993): Emma Gogwim Kayi, Gideon Mitu, Cyril Ogah, Harris Dawurang, Wilson Yale, Usman Abu, and Danjuma Abah resigned in protest against the annulment of the June 12 election, only to be reinstated a year later.
- Bunmi Aborisade (1993): Editor of June 12 Magazine, Aborisade was arrested for advocating the validation of the annulled June 12 presidential election. He later fled into exile after facing continued persecution.
- Founding Editors of Newswatch Magazine (1994): Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Mohammed were arrested for publishing an interview that described General Abacha’s coup as a “putsch against democracy.”
- Bagauda Kaltho (1995): Kaltho was imprisoned and believed to have been killed under the Abacha regime for publishing critical reports about the government.
- The Treason Decree (1995): Kunle Ajibade (The News), Chris Anyanwu (Classique Magazine), George M’bah (TSM), and Ben Charles-Obi (TSM) were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment under the Treason and Treasonable Offences Decree for reporting on an alleged coup plot.
- Osa Director (1995): Kano Correspondent for Dateline, Director was arrested and held in solitary confinement for publishing a story alleging conflicts between Buhari and Abacha over oil money.
- Godwin Agbroko: Chairman of ThisDay newspaper’s editorial board, and former editor for Newswatch and ThisWeek magazines, was arrested and briefly detained twice in 1995 for his editorial work. In December 1996, he was apprehended by State Security Service members and detained for five months. He was released shortly after receiving the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in 1997. He was fatally shot in his car in Lagos by unknown assailants (2006).
- Ladi Olorunyomi: Staff member of The News and the wife of Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested at her home by armed military intelligence agents. She was questioned about the whereabouts of her exiled husband and her boss, Bayo Onanuga(1997).
- Tunde Oladepo: he Ogun State bureau chief for The Guardian, was assassinated in his home by masked gunmen. The targeted nature of the attack, carried out in front of his family, strongly suggests that his murder was related to his extensive coverage of political affairs in Ogun State(1998).
- Fidelis Ikwuebe: A freelance journalist contributing to The Guardian, was abducted and murdered while reporting on the clashes between the Aguleri and Umuleri communities in Anambra State(1999).
- Ben Adaji: He was the Taraba Correspondent of The News/TEMPO magazine, who was apprehended following a manhunt for a story detailing a factional conflict in Taraba State. He was also arrested again and detained for his critical reporting (1997& 2003).
- Cyril Mbah: Security Service (SSS) agents escorted Cyril Mbah, a correspondent for “The Monitor” newspaper based at Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of government, from the presidential villa. No explanation was provided by the SSS for this action. However, it is believed to be linked to Mbah’s column of 14 September, entitled “OBJ Compels Ministers to Pray”, which was perceived to be critical of the president (2003).
- Tunde Akinleye: The case of Tunde Akinleye provides a stark illustration of the dangers faced by journalists in Nigeria. Akinleye, a photojournalist with the Daily Independent, was brutally assaulted by 12 mobile police officers from Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s security detail in Abuja. The attack rendered Akinleye unconscious, highlighting the risks journalists encounter when reporting on sensitive issues or powerful individuals (2003).
- Funmi Komolafe and Rotimi Ajayi: Funmi Komolafe, a labour editor, and Rotimi Ajayi, a reporter, both from The Vanguard newspaper, were assaulted by police officers during a protest rally in Abuja (2003).
- Ogun Six : Six journalists tragically lost their lives along the Abuja-Lokoja Highway while returning from official duties with the former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel. They were: Doyin Sokoya, Wole Adebari, Deji Onajobi, Sola Bakare, Semiu Oyetunji and Adesina Durosomo (2003).
- The Plateau Eight: Eight journalists perished in a catastrophic accident while travelling in a convoy with the then Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, namely: Musa Nuhu (News Agency of Nigeria, NAN), Isaac Agbo (The Nation), Judith Adama (New Nigerian), Chiwo Avre (Leadership), Emmanuel Adinoyi (African Independent Television), Reuben Emeje (Federal Information), Sudan Lar (Nigeria Television Authority), and Moses Ezulike (The Daily Champion). The accident was attributed to the poor condition of the bus tyres, which was owned by the Plateau State Government. Those who survived with various degrees of injury are Audu Ojogbane- Daily Independent, Agada Okopi – AIT, Seriki Adinoyi – ThisDay, Asile Abel – Reality Newspaper, Andrew Agbese – Daily Trust , Aminu Manu – Voice of Nigeria , Monday Goteng – NAN and Solomon Gujor of the State Information. This tragic incident highlights the risks and sacrifices made by journalists in Nigeria (2007).
- Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo: A journalist with Radio France Internationale (RFI), he was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and charged to Court for Sedition against the State. He was discharged and acquitted by FCT High Court 5 for lack of Jurisdiction. Gwarzo’s arrest and subsequent detention stemmed from a report he authored, which was critical of the EFCC and its then-chair, Farida Waziri.Gwarzo’s predicament was however widely perceived as an attempt to suppress journalistic criticism(2009).
- Akin Orimolade (National Life): Abducted and detained for eight days on the orders of the Bayelsa State Governor over a news article, which the Governor felt uncomfortable with (2009.)
- *Gbenga Aruleba (African Independent Television) and Rotimi Durojaiye (Independent newspaper). The two journalists, were held by the State Security Service and faced up to two years’ imprisonment if convicted. They were detained over a report concerning a presidential aircraft (2009).
- *Bayo Ohu: He was an assistant news editor with The Guardian, who was brutally murdered at his Lagos home. He was shot by assailants who gained entry by knocking on his door. While a laptop and cell phone were taken, the prevailing belief among his colleagues and family was that he was targeted for his investigative reporting, particularly his work on alleged fraud within the Nigerian Customs Service. This sensitive investigation likely placed him in the crosshairs of powerful individuals. The subsequent police investigation and trial were heavily criticised for their perceived shortcomings. In May 2012, three suspects were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, leaving Ohu’s murder unsolved and further eroding public trust in the justice system. The case highlighted the dangers faced by journalists investigating corruption and the persistent issue of impunity(2009).
- *Lagos Journalists Abducted : Four journalists from the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) were abducted by armed men in Abia State. They were: Wahab Oba, Chairman , Adolphus Okonkwo, Zonal Secretary, Sylvester Okereke, Secretary , Sola Oyeyipo,Lagos-based journalist and Azeez Abdul Rauf, the driver. They were seized on their return journey from a union conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The conference had focused on matters pertaining to the state of the union, with particular emphasis on the safety and security of journalists. They were held captive for five days(2010).
- *Nathan S. Dabak, deputy editor, and Sunday Gyang Bwede, a reporter for the Church of Christ in Nations(COCIN) monthly newspaper, The Light Bearer were brutally murdered in Jos, Plateau State. They were on assignment, attempting to interview a national Parliamentarian regarding the escalating violence between Muslim and Christian communities. While traveling by motorcycle, they were attacked and fatally stabbed by a militia group. Jos had become a battleground for sectarian conflict, and the journalists’ deaths underscored the extreme risks faced by those reporting from the region. The violence in Plateau state created a hostile environment for journalism, making it extremely dangerous to report the facts(2010).
- * Lemmy Ugbegbe (The Guardian): Handcuffed and threatened
- by a Magistrate, Zainab Bashir in Abuja , who had insulted and ordered journalists out of her court, after which she singled out Ughegbe for arrest for allegedly not moving out immediately. She consequently ordered her police orderly to handcuff Lemmy Ughegbe and ruled that he be committed to prison. It took the intervention of some lawyers to make her have a change of heart (2010).
- * Muhammad Abdulkadir (NTA Abuja): Endured numerous near-fatal encounters as a defence correspondent embedded with troops in counter-terrorism operations in the North East (2010-2016).
- * Lawal Ogienagbo, Dapo Olufade, Yusuf Alli, Yomi Odunuga (The Nation): These Journalists were arrested and detained over a cover story concerning a letter from former President Obasanjo to the then President, Goodluck Jonathan( 2011).
- * Zakariya Isa, a reporter and cameraman for NTA Maiduguri was killed in Maiduguri, Borno State. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for his murder, alleging that he was “spying” for Nigerian security forces. Isa’s death occurred during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, a period of extreme violence and instability in northeastern Nigeria. The group’s statement served as a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by journalists reporting on the conflict, where they were often caught between warring factions. His death added to the growing list of journalists killed by the terrorist organisation(2011).
- * Desmond Utomwem (FreshNEWS/CABSOJA): He was assaulted by the police and Staff of GTB Abuja. He then sought redress in Court in Abuja and was awarded the largest legal settlement in a Nigerian journalist case (N100 million) for that incident, with the court ruling police violated his human rights. Again the Police CID in Area 10 Garki, Abuja, arrested and detained Desmond , at the instance of a then serving Customs officer, Inspector Umaru Faru. Desmond was working on a story which allegedly was critical of the said officer. He was released following the intervention of the then Police AIG Usman Shehu who received a complaint from the NUJ. The Union demanded for a thorough investigation by the customs of the alleged corruption by Umaru Faru, but to no effect( 2009&2017).
- * Enenche Akogwu : Enenche Akogwu, a journalist with Channels Television, was tragically killed during a terrorist attack amidst a Boko Haram offensive in Kano. This account underscores the ongoing sacrifice of journalists committed to uncovering the truth, even when confronting formidable challenges(2012).
- *Lagos/Ibadan Disaster: Three officials from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) were killed in a tragic road traffic accident. The incident, which also resulted in ten injuries, took place on the Ilesha-Ibadan Expressway. A blow-out on the rear tyre of the bus transporting the journalists to Ibadan and Lagos caused the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn multiple times before coming to a halt in the bushes. This heartbreaking incident shocked the nation as the journalists were returning from a meeting at the Union’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where discussions had centred on journalists’ welfare. The deceased were: Adolphous Okonkwo of VON and the National Financial Secretary of the Union, Olatunde Ojenike of FRCN and Chairman of FRCN Ibadan Network Centre Chapel and Kafayat Odunsi of the NTA Channel 7 Lagos. Nine other journalists and the bus driver survived the crash, with various degrees of injuries. They included : Abdulkareem Fatimah, National Treasurer of the NUJ, Deji Elumoye, Chairman of Lagos State Council and staff of ThisDay newspaper, Gbenga Opadotun, Chairman of Oyo State Council and staff of the Nigerian Tribune, Silva Okereke, Secretary of Lagos State Council and staff of the Champion newspaper, Bimbo Oyetunde, Chairperson of FRCN Lagos Network Centre Chapel, Momoh Adamson of Voice of Nigeria Lagos, Banji Oluwalana of NTA, Victoria Island Lagos, Uzogbu Christopher of Voice of Nigeria Lagos and Bolaji Akeem of NTA, Channel 7 Lagos(2013).
- *Ebere Wabara: An Associate Editor with The Sun newspaper, he was arrested by the police from Abia State who stormed his house in Lagos and abducted him to Umuahia, Abia State. He was held, then released on bail after the Inspector General of Police intervened. Wabara was ordered to report back to Abia police. He was arrested based on a petition against him, claimed the police. Colleagues believed he was arrested and detained at the instance of Abia State Governor who was not comfortable with Ebere’s writings (2014).
- *Ubale Musa: He was the Correspondent of Deutche Welle Radio attached to the State House Abuja whose accreditation was withdrawn. Ubale was expelled from the State House for asking the visiting Chadian President,Idris Derby a question on the relationship between the Multinational Joint Task Force fighting Boko Haram and South African mercenaries fighting with the Force(2015).
- *Yomi Olomofe: The Executive Director and Chairman of the Editorial Board of Badagry Times, was brutally beaten and left for dead by customs-assisted smugglers for daring to investigate a story. This grievous incident occurred within the premises of the Nigeria Customs at Seme Border Command(2015).
- *Chizoba Ogbeche (Blueprint): Manhandled and detained for her report at the Police Force Headquarters and Garki Police Station Abuja (2016).
- * Friday Ogungemi (Policy and Law Magazine): Arrested and detained by the State Security Service at the instance of the Kogi State Governor over an editorial(2016).
- *Charles Otu: The Publisher of Peoples CONSCIENCE Newspaper in Abakaliki, was violently attacked by thugs allegedly sponsored by certain agents of the Ebonyi State Government. He was later rescued from Kpirikpiri Police Station in Abakaliki by sympathisers, where he had been abandoned by his attackers and falsely accused of mischief. Otu had thereafter received multiple threats from thugs and government agents( 2017).
- *Luka Binniyat: He faced arrest and detention in Kaduna over a piece he wrote in the Vanguard Newspaper which did not go down well with the Kaduna State Government . He was subjected to stringent bail conditions by the court and remained incarcerated for 83 days until those conditions were relaxed by the Court (2017).
- * Emmanuel Ogbeche ( Editor, Abuja Inquirer): He was physically attacked and arrested following the publication of a story deemed detrimental by a lawyer (2017).
- * Ikechukwu Ibe (Daily Trust): He was attacked and had his camera seized by an army captain in Abuja for daring to take pictures (2017).
- * Jacob Onjewu (New Nigerian): Assaulted by soldiers while covering a polo tournament in Kaduna, (2017).
- * Lawal Mohammed (NTA Kaduna): Beaten and his camera damaged by political thugs at the NUJ Press Centre, Kaduna, during a Press Conference (2017).
- * Emmanuel Antswen (NAN): Arrested and detained at the behest of the Benue State Commissioner of Water Resources over a report on Internally Displaced Persons- IDPs, in Makurdi (2017).
- * Sunday Nwakanma (Daily Times), Chidi Asonye (Authority), Boniface Okoro (Oracle Today): Attacked by soldiers for covering military operations during Operation Python Dance in Umuahia, Abia State (2017 ).
- * Moses John Akwashi (Blueprint): Detained by police (2007), assaulted by security operatives (2008), and detained again for taking photos of a police raid (2017).
- * Midat Joseph (Leadership/kakaakireporters.com): Arrested at the instance of Kaduna State Government and detained over alleged comments on a WhatsApp group and taken to court but case dismissed due to lack of diligent prosecution (2017).
- * Olalekan Adetayo (The Punch): Expelled from the State House Abuja for reporting on President Buhari’s health, (2017).
- *Dapo Olorunyomi, Evelyn Okakwu (Premium Times): They were arrested by police the following a complaint from the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. This action came after PREMIUM TIMES refused the army’s demand to retract articles concerning the Army and its operations (2017).
- * Adebola Brookslyn Sunday (NTA): Attacked by a religious group while covering a protest in Abuja, (2018).
- * Samuel Ogundipe (Premium Times): Harassed and arraigned by police in Abuja over a news article, (2019).
- *Jones Abiri: The Editor and Publisher of the Weekly Source newspaper, was re-arrested by armed men while meeting with six colleagues at the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association, Yenogoa. Abiri had previously endured two years of detention without trial by the Department of State Services (DSS), facing allegations of connections to rebels in the Niger Delta and claims of threatening oil companies(2019).
- *Obinna Don Norman: The Publisher of Realm News was arrested and detained in prison on the orders of a Magistrate. Don Norman was charged in Umuahia Under the 2015 Cybercrime act. He was alleged to have defamed and harassed Senator Theodore Orji (2019).
- *Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested over a report alleging the diversion of N500 million belonging to Cross River State by Governor Ben Ayade. The Cross River State government had taken over the prosecution of Jalingo’s case from the police. He was granted bail after spending an arduous 174 days in detention across both police custody and Calabar prison ( 2019).
- *Precious Owolabi: He was a reporter with Channels Television, who was killed while covering a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). The peaceful demonstration demanding the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, turned violent, prompting the police to open fire indiscriminately. Tragically, Owolabi succumbed to bullet wounds sustained during the protest. The identity of the individual who fired the fatal shots remains uncertain ( 2019).
- *Pelumi Onifade: He was a 20 year old Trainee Journalist with Gboah TV, an online broadcast platform who was found dead in a morgue in Lagos, six days after being shot during a protest he was covering in Lagos. Those responsible for his death have never been identified( 2020 ).
- *Alex Ogbu: A reporter with Regent African Times, he was struck and killed by a stray bullet fired by police during a clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), and the police in Abuja( 2020).
- * Jaafar Jaafar: The editor of the Daily Nigerian, Jaafar Jaafar, fled Nigeria after publishing a video allegedly showing Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje accepting bribes. He relocated to the United Kingdom due to reported threats to his life (2021).
- * Adekola Bamgbala: Bamgbala, a street photographer, was detained for eight months following a fatal incident during a joint operation with the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA). Despite having no involvement, he was arrested after a traffic stop resulted in a driver’s death. The NUJ Lagos Council provided legal and financial support, securing his release (2022).
- * Gabriel Idibia (Daybreak Newspapers): Idibia was arrested and charged with defamation, intimidation, and inciting religious contempt over a report on the Kaduna Hajj camp. He was later granted bail.
- Additionally police officers in Kaduna, arrested Gabriel Idibia, while he was photographing officers herding cattle across a road(2023 & 2024).
- * Godwin Tsa (The Sun): Tsa was arrested by Federal Capital Territory Administration security officers while reporting on a protest against shop demolitions in Abuja. He was detained, his phone was seized, and he was coerced into deleting protest footage. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council secured his release ( 2023 ).
- * Tayo Ikujunni (News Agency of Nigeria): An Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Ikujunni was physically assaulted by Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, while covering the APC governorship primary. At Eji-Oba High School, Yusuf Ogunleye punched Ikujunni, seized and discarded his mobile phone, and ordered thugs to confiscate his tablet after Ikujunni enquired about electoral materials. Yusuf Ogunleye verbally abused Ikujunni, before security personnel intervened(2024).
- *Jide Oyekunle: A Photojournalist with the Daily Independent newspaper, and Kayode Jaiyeola, a Photojournalist with Punch newspaper, were arrested in Abuja by Police as they covered protests (2024).
- The Enduring Legacy of Valiant Journalists:
- These accounts, while not comprehensive, underscore the profound sacrifices made in the tireless pursuit of truth and justice. As we commemorate those journalists tragically lost in the course of their duties, and those who have endured various forms of impunity, we must reaffirm our unwavering commitment to safeguarding press freedom.
- It is imperative that we pursue accountability for those who perpetrate violence against journalists. Only through dedicated and persistent endeavours can we truly honour the legacy of our fallen colleagues, ensuring their sacrifices serve a meaningful purpose. The Nigeria Union of Journalists must resolutely uphold its mission to defend journalists and champion the fundamental principles of a free and independent press.
- Let us unite, inspired by their fortitude, as we strive towards a future where equity prevails and truth is vigorously protected. As we mark this pivotal milestone in the NUJ’s history, let it serve as a rallying call for all stakeholders in Nigeria—journalists, media organisations, civil society, and the government—to pledge to safeguard journalists’ rights, ensure their safety, and foster an environment conducive to free expression and responsible reporting. Through concerted action, we can pave the way for a more just and equitable Nigeria, where the pursuit of truth is recognised as a fundamental right for all citizens. This is a salute to men and women of courage.
The list of journalists who have suffered for speaking truth to power is extensive, and these cases merely scratch the surface of the dangers faced by the Nigerian press. The legacy of these journalists must inspire ongoing efforts to protect press freedom, demand accountability, and ensure justice for those who have been silenced.
The NUJ’s 70th anniversary should serve as a clarion call for both the government and the public to prioritize the safety and protection of journalists. We must collectively champion a Nigeria where journalists can operate without fear and where the fundamental principles of democracy and free speech are upheld.
Let us remember, honor, and continue their fight. The struggle for press freedom in Nigeria is far from over.
Leman is National Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, November 2002 – April 2024
