The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub of the International Press Centre (IPC) has called on security agencies to intensify the protection of journalists covering political rallies and other electoral activities.
The call followed an attack on journalists returning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
According to the IPC-SPJ Hub, a vehicle conveying four staff members of Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM, a journalist from Guarantee Radio and another journalist from Daily Trust was attacked by hoodlums after the rally.
The hoodlums reportedly repeatedly hit the vehicle, causing injuries to the driver, while some of the journalists sustained injuries from broken glass from the damaged vehicle.
The incident occurred after the APC’s Tinubu Support Group rally at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
In a statement, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, described the attack as a serious concern and a threat to press freedom, particularly given the damage inflicted on the Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM vehicle.
Arogundade said the incident was disturbing because political campaigns and rallies had only recently commenced, warning that journalists should not be subjected to attacks as political activities increase ahead of the general elections.
“The campaigns and rallies have just recently started, and journalists should not be subject to any form of attack at this time, when political activities are gradually increasing ahead of the general elections,” he said.
The IPC-SPJ Hub urged all security agencies to be deliberate in safeguarding journalists deployed to cover political activities, particularly during large gatherings where media workers may face heightened security risks.
It also advised media organisations and journalists covering elections to conduct security assessments and maintain a high level of safety consciousness while reporting electoral activities.
The Hub stressed that ensuring journalists’ safety is essential to protecting press freedom and enabling the media to effectively perform its watchdog role during the electoral process.
The statement was signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC-SPJ Hub.
