When Attacks On Journalists Go Unpunished, Public Accountability Suffers, NUJ Warns
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on government authorities and security agencies to investigate attacks on journalists and prosecute those responsible, warning that impunity threatens press freedom, weakens the rule of law and limits the public’s access to information.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya, on Monday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
The scale of the problem is reflected in a May 2026 report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which documented 91 journalists arrested, attacked or harassed across 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory between May 2023 and May 2026. Similarly, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), in its 2025 annual report, documented 86 incidents involving journalists, media organisations and citizens across 27 states and the FCT, including 38 cases of arrest and detention and 21 cases of physical assault.
MRA also identified the Nigeria Police Force in 41 of the documented incidents and reported that none had resulted in a successful investigation or prosecution during the reporting period. The findings highlight concerns about accountability for violations against media workers and the protection available to journalists carrying out their duties.
Court decisions have also highlighted the legal consequences of violations involving journalists. On June 22, 2026, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice awarded N10 million in damages to journalist Jide Oyekunle following violations of his rights during his assault and detention while covering the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja. In a separate case, the FCT High Court awarded N12 million to THE WHISTLER reporter, Kasarahchi Aniagolu, over her arrest, assault and detention in February 2024.
The NUJ called for independent and transparent investigations into reported attacks, enforcement of legal protections against arbitrary arrests, censorship and administrative interference, and recognition of journalists by security agencies as partners in democratic governance. It also urged media organisations, civil society groups and international partners to establish safety measures and emergency support systems for journalists working in high-risk environments.
The union urged citizens and human rights organisations to support efforts to protect media workers, warning that impunity encourages self-censorship and undermines democratic discourse. It said: “No journalist should pay with their safety, freedom, or life for reporting the truth.”