Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to urgently safeguard press freedom, protect journalists and address rising insecurity and human rights abuses across parts of northern Nigeria.
The groups made the call in a joint statement issued on Saturday to mark the 2026 World Press Freedom Day, following a conference and interactive session held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event, themed “The Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria,” was jointly organised by SERAP and NGE.
According to the statement, protecting journalists and preserving information integrity are critical to peace, security and democratic stability.
They said, “Any credible peace, recovery, or security strategy in Nigeria must integrate support for free, independent and pluralistic media alongside humanitarian, institutional and economic responses.”
The organisations expressed concern over persistent killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, forced displacement and destruction of property in states including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau and Sokoto.
They noted that thousands had reportedly been killed, while millions were displaced, with women and children among the worst affected.
“These patterns reflect systemic failures to prevent foreseeable harm, protect communities, investigate violations, prosecute perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims,” the statement said.
SERAP and NGE added that the continued insecurity and lack of accountability were weakening public trust and undermining democratic governance.
They urged the Federal Government and state authorities to guarantee freedom of expression, protect civic space, ensure ethical reporting and publicly recognise that killings, abductions and destruction of property are grave human rights violations.
The groups also called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into all reported abuses, prosecution of offenders and compensation, restitution and rehabilitation for victims.
They further appealed to Nigerian authorities to establish public reporting systems to track incidents, responses and accountability measures.
The organisations also urged the National Assembly to convene an urgent public hearing on insecurity and attacks on journalists, using its oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution.
They said such a hearing should examine the role of security agencies and other state actors, while leading to stronger reforms for accountability and media freedom.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who spoke at the event, said entire communities were being destroyed in several parts of northern Nigeria while perpetrators acted with little or no consequences.
“Impunity is not just a failure of justice—it is a driver of further violence,” Falana said.
He added, “Any government that cannot protect its people—or refuses to hold perpetrators accountable—undermines its own legitimacy. Journalists are not the enemy of the State—they are essential partners in exposing abuse, preventing violence and strengthening democracy.”
The conference was attended by senior media executives, civil society groups and other stakeholders, including NGE President and Vanguard Editor, Eze Anaba, Arise TV News Director, Sumner Shagari Sambo, Daily Trust Editor, Hamza Idris, and several editors from leading media organisations.
