The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have jointly called on President Bola Tinubu's administration, state governors, and other relevant authorities to take urgent steps to protect journalists, address rising insecurity, and end the culture of impunity in Nigeria. This call was made during the observance of World Press Freedom Day at a joint conference and interactive session held in Lagos.
Joint Conference Highlights Press Freedom Concerns
The event, themed “The Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria,” gathered editors, media professionals, civil society actors, and legal practitioners. Organized by SERAP and NGE in Ikeja, the forum focused on the deteriorating security situation and its impact on press freedom.
In a joint statement read by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and NGE Assistant General Secretary Akin Adewole, the groups emphasized that protecting journalists and safeguarding information integrity are crucial for peace, security, and democratic stability. They expressed deep concern over escalating violence in parts of northern Nigeria, including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto states, noting that killings, abductions, sexual violence, and forced displacement continue unabated.
Systemic Failures and Human Rights Violations
The statement noted that thousands have reportedly been killed and millions displaced, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence. It added that the pattern of attacks reflects systemic failures by authorities to prevent harm, investigate abuses, and prosecute perpetrators. According to the organizations, such violations breach Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They warned that persistent impunity continues to erode public trust and weaken democratic governance.
“The humanitarian consequences remain severe: communities destroyed, livelihoods lost, and victims left without effective remedies,” the statement added.
Media as Essential to Security and Governance
SERAP and NGE stressed that a free, independent, and pluralistic media is essential to any credible peace and security strategy. They warned that attacks on journalists and suppression of information contribute to governance breakdown and the spread of misinformation. “When journalists are targeted through intimidation or repression, corruption thrives and accountability declines,” they stated.
The organizations urged the Federal Government, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to guarantee press freedom, protect civic space, and ensure thorough investigations into human rights violations. They also called for the prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors, as well as compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation for victims. Additionally, they urged authorities to improve transparency in security operations and establish public reporting systems to track incidents and responses.
Calls for International Involvement and Legislative Oversight
The groups further called on Nigerian authorities to invite United Nations and African human rights rapporteurs to conduct independent fact-finding missions to strengthen accountability and drive reforms. They also tasked the National Assembly with exercising its oversight functions by convening a public hearing on insecurity and attacks on journalists.
Femi Falana Warns Against Impunity
Speaking at the event, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) warned that impunity remains a major driver of violence across the country. “Entire communities are being destroyed in several parts of the North while perpetrators operate with little or no consequences. Impunity is not just a failure of justice; it is a driver of further violence,” he said.
Falana stressed that any government that fails to protect its citizens or hold offenders accountable undermines its legitimacy. Describing journalists as critical partners in democracy, he noted that they play a key role in exposing abuses, preventing violence, and strengthening governance. “Journalists are not the enemy of the state,” he said. “They are essential to accountability and transparency.”
Reopening Unresolved Murder Cases
The senior advocate also challenged the media to intensify advocacy for the reopening of unresolved murder cases across the country, particularly those involving alleged abuses by security agents. According to him, several high-profile cases have been abandoned without accountability, urging journalists not to allow such matters to fade from public attention. He cited instances of killings in Lagos and other parts of the country, lamenting that suspects in some cases had fled while authorities made limited efforts to bring them to justice.
Falana, however, criticized sections of the media for compromising professional standards in pursuit of commercial interests. “The media must not sacrifice truth and objectivity on the altar of commercial gains,” he warned, urging journalists to prioritize public interest reporting.
