The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the arrest of Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Ogujiuba arrest came less than a month after Media Rights Agenda (MAR) lamented that attacks against Journalists intensified under President Bola Tinubu.
In a mid-term assessment report on the Tinubu Administration’s first two years in office released, MRA decried what it described as an alarming escalation of attacks on media freedom and civic expression, particularly through the misuse of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act by law enforcement agencies to silence or punish journalists and critics of government.
MRA said between May 29, 2023, and May 29, 2025, it documented 141 incidents of attacks on journalists, media workers, and ordinary citizens for the peaceful expression of their views on a variety of issue, including governance, economic hardship, the security situation in the country, among others.
MRA said of these incidents, 61 cases (43.26 percent) were perpetrated by operatives of the Nigeria Police, while the Department of State Services (DSS) was responsible for seven cases (4.96 percent) with the two agencies collectively accounting for nearly half of all documented violations of media rights and freedom of expression across the country over the last two years.
President, NGE, Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh on Thursday, August 28, 2025, said the arrest, harassment and intimidation of Ogujiuba and other journalists over their coverage of court cases amounted to attempts to silence the media.
The NGE called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to halt the harassment of journalists and respect their constitutional rights.
“We urge the government and security agencies to uphold press freedom and respect the media’s constitutional right to hold those in authority accountable,” the statement said.
The guild also expressed concern about the safety of journalists globally, citing the killings of five journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces.
It said targeting journalists in conflict zones is a violation of international law and called for investigations and accountability.
The NGE reaffirmed its support for journalists in Nigeria and abroad, stating that it will continue to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists.
