NUJ condemns arrest of Kogi Reports Editor, warns against intimidation of journalists

 

   

By allcitynews.ng

 
   
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone D (North Central), has condemned the arrest and detention of the Editor of Kogi Reports, Mr Opeyemi Owoeye, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Vice President of NUJ Zone D, Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh, expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding the journalist's arrest.

He described the NSCDC action as a dangerous threat to press freedom and democratic governance adding that the development raises serious questions about the role of security agencies in a democratic society.

Momohjimoh stressed that freedom of press is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and must not be undermined by the actions of security operatives acting outside their statutory mandate.

The union warned the Kogi State Command of the NSCDC against allowing itself to be used by aggrieved politicians or individuals seeking to settle personal or political scores through intimidation and harassment of journalists.

According to the statement, security agencies established and funded by the Nigerian people must remain professional, impartial and strictly guided by the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

The NUJ noted that the mandate of the NSCDC is clearly defined by the law establishing the agency and does not include scrutinising news reports, determining the correctness of journalistic content, or detaining journalists over stories involving public office holders.

The union further argued that individuals who feel defamed or aggrieved by media reports have access to established legal channels for seeking redress, rather than resorting to the use of security agencies to suppress dissenting voices.

Momohjimoh also cautioned politicians and public office holders against deploying publicly funded security institutions to harass, intimidate or silence journalists and other citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

"Democracy thrives on accountability, transparency and the free exchange of ideas, not on intimidation and abuse of state institutions," the statement said.

The NUJ Zone D described the detention of the journalist as a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in security institutions and weakening the democratic space.

"Accordingly, we call on the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to immediately investigate the matter and call the Kogi State Command to order and made to operate within the limits of its constitutional and statutory mandate", the VP, Zone D added.

He also urged the NSCDC leadership to sanction any officer found to have acted outside the law or professional standards, while reaffirming the union's commitment to defending press freedom, the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all Nigerians.

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