On the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, calls for decisive government action to protect press freedom and ensure accountability for crimes against media professionals
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council, has made a renewed appeal to the Federal Government, security agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to guarantee the safety, protection, and dignity of journalists across Nigeria. The call came as the world commemorated the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, a day dedicated to highlighting the threats faced by media practitioners and the urgent need to end violence against them.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, condemned the continued wave of intimidation, harassment, and violence targeted at journalists, describing such actions as grave attacks on democracy and freedom of expression. He emphasized that journalists play a vital role in sustaining transparency, accountability, and justice in society, and any attempt to silence them is a direct assault on the people’s right to know.
The Council expressed serious concern over the rising number of cases involving unlawful arrests, physical assaults, and threats against journalists across the country. It noted with dismay that many of these incidents remain unresolved, with perpetrators rarely brought to justice, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of impunity.
According to the NUJ, this year’s commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by journalists who risk their lives daily to expose wrongdoing, hold power to account, and inform the public. The Council stated that the failure to protect these professionals erodes democratic values and emboldens those who wish to suppress truth and accountability.
“A society that silences its journalists silences the truth,” the statement declared. “We cannot build a transparent and accountable democracy when those who bring vital information to the public are constantly harassed, attacked, or unjustly detained.”
The Council urged the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to demonstrate genuine commitment to ending impunity by conducting thorough investigations into all past and recent cases of attacks on journalists and ensuring that justice is served, regardless of the perpetrators’ political or social status. It stressed that protecting journalists is not merely a professional obligation but a constitutional and moral duty that strengthens the foundations of democracy.
In its appeal, the NUJ also called on both state and non-state actors to respect the constitutional role of journalists and guarantee their right to work without fear or interference. The statement warned that the culture of impunity not only threatens the lives and livelihoods of journalists but also undermines the people’s right to accurate and reliable information.
“Justice for journalists is justice for society,” the Council maintained. “Every attack on a journalist is an attack on truth, accountability, and the people’s right to be informed.”
Reaffirming its dedication to defending press freedom, the NUJ vowed to continue collaborating with media stakeholders, civil society groups, and international partners to advance journalists’ welfare, enhance safety standards, and promote a secure environment for media practice across Nigeria.
The Council also paid tribute to journalists who have faced detention, persecution, or death in the line of duty, describing them as heroes of truth and democracy. It urged the public never to forget their sacrifices and to honor their memory by standing firm in the defense of free and responsible journalism.
Through its renewed call, the NUJ emphasized that protecting journalists is essential to safeguarding the truth, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring that Nigeria remains a society where justice and transparency prevail over fear and oppression.
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