By Margaret Munsi
THE International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub has condemned the continuous clampdown on press freedom in Nigeria.
IPC SPJ-Hub is worried that its recent database (January – June, 2025) derived from monitoring of press freedom issues in Nigeria, reveals that there is a continuous trend of attack on press freedom in recent times, making reference to three recent incidents that occurred between June and July.
One, it noted the prolonged detention of Dr. Tekena Amieyeofori, formerly of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly over Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) corruption report.
Also, Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed, an investigative journalist is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kwara State Police Command Headquarters in Ilorin for condemning a violent attack on peaceful protesters.
The third incident IPC noted is Ayo Aiyepekun, a photojournalist with Inside Story in Lokoja, Kogi State was murdered on Tuesday, July 22nd at his residence, also housing the Inside Story office.
In reaction to the unfortunate incidents and continuous trend of attacks, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement said, “we are deeply worried about the continuous clampdown on press freedom under this present administration.
“The restrictions on journalists’ ability to carry out their obligation and regular violations of their constitutional rights is highly condemnable adding that the incidents showed lack of commitment to the President’s pledge to tolerate criticism in his democracy day broadcast.
“IPC-SPJ Hub is therefore calling for a thorough investigation into all assaults perpetrated against journalists and an end to all forms of violations and attacks on journalists.”
The IPC-SPJ Hub said it would continue to emphasize the importance of a free press for a healthy democracy.