Press Release
IPC SPJ-HUB CONDEMNS THE CONTINUOUS CLAMPDOWN ON PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA
For immediate release July 29, 2025
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 (3) recent incidents that occurred between June and July:
(i) 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;
(ii) 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;
(iii) 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 reacting to the unfortunate incidents and continuous trend of attacks, the Executive Director 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.
IPC-SPJ Hub will continue to emphasize the importance of a free press for a healthy democracy.
SGD:
Melody Akinjiyan
Press Freedom Officer, IPC
melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org
Melody Akinjiyan
Program Officer
International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria
IPC is Nigeria’s foremost media capacity development organization.
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