Harvard invites applications for 2026 Nieman Journalism Fellowships IFJ, global unions urge ASEAN to reject Myanmar junta’s planned sham election Justice denied: Mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif dies awaiting accountability CNN's Christiane Amanpour reveals recurrence of ovarian cancer PSL's decline: From cricket's bright promise to bureaucratic mediocrity and franchise crisis Journalists and rights activists demand withdrawal of fabricated case against Matiullah Jan PTV journalist faces backlash for calling late SP Adeel Akbar ‘coward and fool’ Independent and unbroken: JournalismPakistan.com turns 16 Two Ukrainian journalists killed in Russian drone strike in Kramatorsk Injured broadcaster dies after shooting attack in Philippines
Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan

Journalists in Nigeria detained, harassed, and assaulted

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 6 years ago

Join our WhatsApp channel

Journalists in Nigeria detained, harassed, and assaulted

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigerian authorities should investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the detention, harassment, and assault of journalists nationwide during the March 9 gubernatorial and state assembly elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday.

Journalists covering the elections told CPJ they were detained and harassed by security services or other armed individuals, denied access to report on polling stations, forced to delete photographs, and assaulted.

"The freedom and fairness of any election requires that journalists are permitted to work unimpeded and without fear," said Angela Quintal, CPJ Africa program coordinator, in New York. "Nigeria must act to ensure journalists can work safely during elections, and the first step is to hold responsible those who attacked or impeded the media during the recent polls."

Nonso Isiguzo, a news editor with the privately owned Nigeria Info radio station, told CPJ that he was traveling on election day between polling stations to report on elections in the Ahoada West local government area in Rivers state. Armed men, some wearing camouflage uniforms, stopped their Nigeria Info-branded car, told Isiguzo and his driver, Sunday Isiitu, to get out, and took their car keys. Shortly afterward, a second car carrying five others whom Isiguzo identified as journalists with accredited press tags was also stopped at the same point on the road, he said.

"I said, 'I'm a journalist. I'm just here to monitor the election'," Isiguzo told CPJ. But the armed men told Isiguzo, without elaborating, that their "boss" was being held by the military and the journalists would only be released once the boss was free.

The men released Isiguzo, Isiitu, and the other journalists after holding them on the side of the road for two hours, after which Isiguzo did not continue reporting in the area, he told CPJ.

CPJ could not immediately determine the identities of the five people from the second car.

On March 10, Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission suspended all election processes in Rivers due to "widespread disruption," including violence and hostage-taking, according to a statement posted on the official election administration body's verified Twitter account.

Also on election day, Segun Adewale, a local politician known as "Aeroland" and a member of the People's Democratic Party, hit and shoved BBC reporter Ajoke Ulohotse in Nigeria's southwestern Lagos-Abeokuta area, according to a report by BBC Pidgin, which included video of the incident, and a BBC statement emailed to CPJ. – A CPJ News Alert

Don't Miss These

Independent and unbroken: JournalismPakistan.com turns 16

Independent and unbroken: JournalismPakistan.com turns 16

 October 24, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com celebrates 16 years of independent reporting and media insight. Founded in 2009, the platform has weathered censorship, cyberattacks, and financial pressures to remain a trusted space for all who love and follow the media.

Newsroom
Harvard invites applications for 2026 Nieman Journalism Fellowships

Harvard invites applications for 2026 Nieman Journalism Fellowships

 October 28, 2025 Harvard University opens 2026 Nieman Fellowship applications for journalists worldwide. Apply by December 1, 2025 (international) or January 31, 2026 (U.S.) to join the prestigious program.


IFJ, global unions urge ASEAN to reject Myanmar junta’s planned sham election

IFJ, global unions urge ASEAN to reject Myanmar junta’s planned sham election

 October 27, 2025 IFJ and over 300 global unions urge ASEAN to reject the Myanmar junta’s sham 2025 election, calling it an illegal attempt to legitimize military rule.


From Pakistan Times to Google News: The story of journalism’s digital transformation

From Pakistan Times to Google News: The story of journalism’s digital transformation

 October 26, 2025 A veteran journalist reflects on the decline of newspapers, the rise of digital news, and how technology forever changed the rhythm and rituals of journalism.


CNN's Christiane Amanpour reveals recurrence of ovarian cancer

CNN's Christiane Amanpour reveals recurrence of ovarian cancer

 October 26, 2025 CNN’s Christiane Amanpour reveals her ovarian cancer has returned but says it’s being well-managed, urging greater awareness and early diagnosis.


PSL's decline: From cricket's bright promise to bureaucratic mediocrity and franchise crisis

PSL's decline: From cricket's bright promise to bureaucratic mediocrity and franchise crisis

 October 25, 2025 PSL faces a crisis as the Multan Sultans dispute escalates while the RCB sale rumors swirl. Inside cricket's biggest franchise controversies and valuation battles.