By Joy Odor
The International Press Centre has warned that Nigeria will be rated among countries most dangerous for journalists if the authorities do not stop continued attacks on the media in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade warned that those who feel aggrieved over media reports should use appropriate means to seek redress and not resort to self-help.
The IPC out bust was on the backdrop of reported threat on the life of Vanguard reporter, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo who recently wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna Command alleging threats to his life.
Hassan-Wuyo alleged that on the 11th of December, 2021, he received a phone call from the leader of a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) one Shettima Yerima,
The phone call which he alleged was a threat to his life followed a story he had published where a group clamoured for an Igbo Presidency in 2023.
He disclosed that the caller, one Shettima Yerima, claimed that the published report contained insulting content on his person.
“Shettima Yerima claimed to be insulted in the report, which was published in the online platform of Vanguard, and in other online platforms.
My efforts to explain to Shettima that we publish reports from all sides to encourage fairness, was not good enough as the NGO man spoke to me harshly in a militaristic manner, concluding with a threat to my life in Hausa, which could simply mean my life is in danger if I continue with my reports.”
Worried about the situation, the IPC Boss called on the Nigerian government and security agencies to ensure that the Vanguard reporter is not harmed in anyway.
He enjoined anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports of the journalist to seek redress through legal channels.
In the same vein, the IPC also condemned the arrest and detention of Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo after he had reported at the national police headquarters on Monday December 13, 2021.
Soyombo’s ordeal followed an invitation by the Police authorities over an investigative report by his medium on alleged corruption in the execution of some Police projects.
Soyombo was held from morning till late evening when he was granted bail as his mobile phone seized and therefore was incommunicado during the period.
“We will like to repeat that those who feel aggrieved over media reports should use appropriate means to seek redress and not resort to self-help”, IPC said.
