An African protester demanding an end to attacks on free press | File photo
The International Press Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub, has raised the alarm over the “continuous clampdown” on press freedom in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation said its monitoring of press freedom between January and June 2025 revealed a trend of harassment, detention, and violence targeted at journalists across the country.
Among the incidents cited was the prolonged detention of Tekena Amieyeofori, a former journalist with Africa Independent Television (AIT) in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Amieyeofori was reportedly arrested in connection with a corruption investigation involving the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
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The IPC also referenced the current detention of Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed, an investigative journalist in Kwara state.
The centre said Ahmed is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, allegedly for criticising a violent attack on peaceful protesters.
The statement condemned the killing of Ayo Aiyepekun, a photojournalist with Inside Story in Lokoja, Kogi state, who was murdered at his residence, which also served as the publication’s office, on July 22.
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Reacting to the incidents, Lanre Arogundade, executive director of IPC, described the pattern of press freedom violation as unacceptable.
“We are deeply worried about the continuous clampdown on press freedom under this present administration,” Arogundade said.
“The restrictions on journalists’ ability to carry out their obligation and regular violations of their constitutional rights is highly condemnable adding that the incidents showed lack of commitment to the President’s pledge to tolerate criticism in his democracy day broadcast.”
The IPC called for thorough investigations into all recent attacks and demanded accountability for perpetrators.
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It also urged the federal and state governments to put an end to what it described as a culture of impunity surrounding crimes against the press.
“The IPC-SPJ Hub will continue to emphasise the importance of a free press for a healthy democracy,” the statement added.
