Harassment of journalists: IPI Nigeria urges FG to call state govts, security agencies to order

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to call state governments and security agencies to order over the continuous harassment of journalists, which has resulted in Nigeria falling 10 places in the global Press Freedom Ranking in 2025.

IPI Nigeria made the call in a communiqué issued after its 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The twin event, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, was held in Abuja on 2 and 3 December 2025.

In the communiqué signed by the President, Musikilu Mojeed, and General Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, IPI Nigeria appealed to the Federal Government to prevail on state governments and security agencies to stop the harassment of journalists and address the culture of impunity against them.

The body also demanded the review of extant Nigerian laws, like the CyberCrimes Act and Criminal Defamation Law, to reflect current realities and align them with global best practices on freedom of expression.

The body expressed the hope that “further attacks on journalists and media organisations will be a thing of the past.”

It would be recalled that IPI Nigeria entered into its “Book of Infamy” the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun; the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago; and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, for various acts of harassment and intimidation of journalists.

While the Nigeria Police Force and the Niger State Government have reached out to IPI Nigeria in order to correct the anomalies, the Akwa Ibom State Government has launched personal attacks on its President and his publication, Premium Times.

In the communiqué issued by IPI Nigeria after the 2025 Conference and AGM, members lauded steps taken to call out the offending agencies and state governments.

IPI Nigeria, in the communiqué, “expresses concern that the latest report released in November by Media Rights Agenda in commemoration of this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists fingered government officials for being responsible for nearly 74 percent of all attacks on journalists and media organisations documented in Nigeria from 1 January to 31 October 2025;

“commends the entry of three state actors: Mohammed Bago, Governor of Niger State; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State into the Book of Infamy, for various acts inimical to the freedom of expression and unfettered media practice; “notes with gratitude Vice President Kashim Shettima’s pledge to intervene in a bid to address the matter concerning those whose names were penned in the Book of Infamy.”

The Annual Conference and AGM had the general theme: “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability.”