As the world marks the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has renewed calls on the government and security agencies to take decisive action against rising cases of attacks and harassment of journalists across the country.
The union expressed concern over what it described as a worsening climate of intimidation, unlawful arrests, and physical assaults on media practitioners, often without justice being served.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, condemned all forms of violence and intimidation targeted at journalists, calling them an assault on democracy and freedom of expression.
“A society that silences its journalists silences the truth. We cannot build a transparent and accountable democracy when those who bring information to the public are constantly harassed, attacked, or unjustly detained,” Oyekunle said.
He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to demonstrate genuine commitment to ending impunity by investigating and prosecuting all cases of attacks on journalists, regardless of the social or political status of the perpetrators.
The Council also appealed to state and non-state actors to respect the constitutional role of journalists and guarantee them the freedom to report without fear or interference, warned that the culture of impunity not only endangers journalists but also undermines citizens’ right to know.
“Justice for journalists is justice for society. Every attack on a journalist is an attack on truth, accountability, and the people’s right to be informed,” the statement added.
The NUJ FCT Council reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting journalists’ welfare, and working with relevant partners to ensure that members of the press can carry out their duties safely and responsibly.
As part of the commemoration, the Council also paid tribute to journalists who have suffered, been detained, or lost their lives in the pursuit of truth, urged society to honour their sacrifices by defending press freedom.
