In the wake of the recent #EndBadGovernanceProtests across Nigeria, disturbing trends emerged, including assaults on journalists and an invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja. Nigerians from all walks of life had called out the government over rising living costs, sparked by fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira. As expected, journalists were on hand to cover these nationwide protests. However, the media became a “casualty” of the demonstrations as many journalists were attacked, bruised, detained, harassed, or had their equipment and work tools confiscated.

The Centre for Journalism and Innovation Development (CJID) reported that 31 journalists were attacked or had their work interrupted during the protests. “These incidents include assault, arrest, detention, and harassment, as well as confiscation of or damage to equipment. Nigerian security forces were responsible for most of the attacks. In other cases, pro-government demonstrators were responsible,” CJID revealed. The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria corroborated these accounts, providing detailed information about those affected when the protests were still in their early stages. The #EndBadGovernanceProtests lasted 10 days, from August 1 – 10.

IPI International expressed deep concern over the safety of journalists covering the protests. Nompilo Simanje, IPI Advocacy and Partnerships Lead, said, “We are deeply concerned by a growing pattern of attacks by security forces on journalists covering anti-government protests in Africa. This latest series of assaults and abuses on journalists covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests offers an unfortunate reminder of similar violence suffered by journalists in Kenya and Uganda recently. Authorities in Nigeria must ensure accountability for attacks on journalists covering protests. They must also take appropriate measures to ensure that journalists are able to do their jobs freely and safely.”

IPI Nigeria provided vivid examples of these incidents: On the eve of the protests, police officers and officials interrupted and harassed Benard Akede of News Central Television and other journalists during a live broadcast; on August 1, Jide Oyekunle of the Daily Independent newspaper was arrested, and his mobile phone was confiscated; in Kano, hoodlums physically attacked TVC News correspondent Ibrahim Isah; in Abuja, police injured Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, while tear gas affected Mary Adeboye of News Central Television; in Calabar, Cross River state, thugs assaulted Joseph Abasi-Abasi of Nigerian Tribune and in Delta state, pro-government demonstrators assaulted journalists Monday Osayande and Matthew Ochei from the Guardian and Punch newspapers, respectively.

Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria, reported that in Kano, vehicles belonging to Channel Television, Premier Radio, Cool, Wazobia, and Arewa FM stations were vandalised, with journalists traumatised and some injured. The organisation reminded the government of the media’s constitutional duty to report events and emphasised that journalists should not be harmed emotionally or physically for doing their job. IPI Nigeria condemned all acts of intimidation targeted at journalists and demanded an investigation and prosecution of security agents who used excessive force, including live ammunition. “Targeting and shooting at journalists carrying out their lawful duties is tantamount to taking a wild shot at our democracy and should be condemned by all,” the statement read.

The situation escalated further when security agents invaded the headquarters of the NLC. Benson Upah, spokesperson for the NLC, stated that the “invading troop claimed they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernanceProtests.” The National Executive Council of the NLC condemned the heavy-handed way security agents handled protesters across the country and the needless bloodshed that ensued. They also criticised the mass arrests of perceived protest leaders and the reckless use of the term “treason” to describe the protests.

Blueprint concurs with calls from well-meaning organisations for a thorough investigation into the events that transpired during the #EndBadGovernanceProtests. As a member of the international community, Nigeria cannot afford to tarnish its image by shooting at peaceful protesters, assaulting journalists covering protests, or invading labour offices without following lawful procedures. Security agents should follow the path of honour instead of resorting to self-help, as they did in ransacking the NLC office.

There is no justification for assaulting journalists who are performing their legitimate work. It is crucial to remind the authorities that the media is the fourth estate of the realm, after the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and each organ has defined roles as enshrined in the constitution. Security agencies should be made aware that they have a responsibility to protect all Nigerians, not just the influential political class in power. Therefore, they must learn to interact civilly with both journalists and protesters alike. (Blueprint Editorial)

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