Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has raised serious concerns over a growing pattern of attacks, harassment, and obstruction targeting journalists across Nigeria. The centre has called for an immediate and thorough investigation, urging government agencies and security authorities to hold perpetrators accountable. The statement was issued on 31 March 2026 and signed by Motunrayo Alaka, executive director of WSCIJ, as media practitioners continue to face threats to their safety and press freedom.
WSCIJ highlighted recent incidents involving journalists that illustrate a disturbing pattern of violence and intimidation, particularly during public events, political gatherings, and official functions. One cited case was the assault on Mohammed Adamu, a correspondent with Albarka Radio, who was attacked by police officers while covering Eid celebrations in Bauchi State. The centre noted that such incidents are part of a broader trend in which journalists face physical harm while performing their professional duties.
The organisation also referenced an earlier case involving Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority, who was allegedly assaulted while covering a religious event at the palace of the Etsu Nupe in Bida, Niger State. Additionally, WSCIJ noted reports of journalists covering the All Progressives Congress national convention in Abuja being teargassed by security operatives, disrupting media coverage and raising concerns about respect for press freedoms during major political events.
The centre drew on findings from its 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, titled “Shrinking Freedoms,” which documented 103 incidents affecting journalists, with state actors implicated in the majority of cases. These findings highlight the frequency and severity of violations against journalists and the challenges faced by media workers operating under threat of violence or harassment.
WSCIJ also referenced the 2024 Openness Index by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, which classified Nigeria as an “average enabler” of press freedom. Security forces were identified as a major constraint, with multiple recorded violations against journalists in a single year. Civil society organisations and press freedom advocates have also documented arrests, detentions, and harassment, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for media practitioners.
In its statement, WSCIJ stressed that attacks on journalists not only endanger individuals but also undermine democratic processes by restricting the free flow of information and limiting citizens’ access to reliable news. The centre called for immediate, independent, and transparent investigations into all reported incidents of violence or harassment against journalists, regardless of the status or affiliation of those involved.
The organisation urged authorities to ensure accountability and sanctions for individuals and institutions found responsible, implement stronger protective measures for journalists, and promote cooperation between security agencies, event organisers, and media organisations to enable reporters to carry out their duties safely.
Motunrayo Alaka, as a leading advocate for press freedom in Nigeria, has consistently highlighted the need to safeguard media independence and democratic engagement. Under her leadership, WSCIJ monitors media safety, engages stakeholders, and promotes reforms that protect journalists and uphold civic space.
The call from WSCIJ aligns with similar concerns expressed by other media rights groups, which have documented ongoing intimidation and physical abuse of journalists. Such attacks threaten not only individual reporters but also the integrity of democratic institutions and the public’s right to information.
As WSCIJ and other advocates press for action, authorities’ response in conducting meaningful investigations and implementing policy reforms will be critical. The outcomes will determine the future of media independence, journalists’ safety, and the strength of democratic accountability in Nigeria.
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