The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the Federal Government, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to urgently protect journalists and address rising insecurity and human rights violations across parts of northern Nigeria, including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto states.
The call was made during a conference and interactive session held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, to mark World Press Freedom Day. The event focused on “the Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria.”
Both organisations stressed that safeguarding journalists and ensuring access to credible information are essential to peace, democracy, and national stability. They warned that any meaningful security strategy must include protection for free, independent, and pluralistic media alongside humanitarian and institutional reforms.
They expressed deep concern over persistent violence in several regions, including killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, forced displacement, and widespread destruction of property. According to them, thousands have been killed and millions displaced, with women and children most affected.
SERAP and NGE said these patterns reflect systemic failures in prevention, investigation, prosecution, and justice delivery, describing them as breaches of Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
They further warned that ongoing impunity is eroding public trust, weakening governance, and worsening insecurity, while stressing that attacks on journalists contribute to misinformation and democratic decline.
Reaffirming legal provisions, the groups cited Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee media responsibility and freedom of expression, insisting that authorities must actively protect journalists and ensure safe working conditions.
They urged all levels of government to guarantee press freedom, investigate all human rights violations, prosecute perpetrators and sponsors, and provide compensation and rehabilitation for victims.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, speaking at the event, condemned the worsening insecurity, stating that impunity fuels further violence and undermines state legitimacy. He emphasized that journalists play a critical role in exposing abuse and strengthening democracy, not as adversaries of the state but as essential partners.
Participants at the session, including media professionals and civil society actors, pledged support for the implementation of the recommendations.
