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By Abdullahi Inuwa
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has raised the alarm over persistent attacks, intimidation and unlawful arrests of journalists across the country, demanding urgent government action to end impunity and ensure justice for media professionals.
The union warned that allowing perpetrators of crimes against journalists to go unpunished poses a serious threat to press freedom, democratic accountability and the fundamental right of citizens to access information.
The NUJ made the declaration on Monday, November 2, 2026, as the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya, the union reaffirmed its determination to defend press freedom, protect media practitioners and demand justice for journalists who suffer attacks, harassment, arbitrary detention and other forms of victimisation in the course of their duties.
The union lamented that despite the critical role journalists play in society, media professionals in Nigeria and other parts of the world continue to face physical assaults, threats, cyberbullying, unlawful arrests and systematic intimidation for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
It stressed that journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy, providing citizens with vital information, exposing wrongdoing, holding those in authority accountable and amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities.
However, the NUJ cautioned that the growing culture of impunity surrounding crimes against journalists threatens to silence independent voices, discourage investigative reporting and create an atmosphere where media practitioners are compelled to operate under fear.
According to the union, failure to bring perpetrators to justice does not only endanger individual journalists but also weakens public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Demands Justice for Victims
In a strong call to action, the NUJ challenged all arms of government, security agencies and relevant institutions to move beyond public assurances and take concrete steps towards protecting journalists and prosecuting those responsible for attacks against them.
It specifically demanded thorough, independent and transparent investigations into all unresolved cases of harassment, physical assaults and unlawful detention involving journalists, insisting that offenders must face the full weight of the law.
The union also called for strict enforcement of existing legal protections to prevent arbitrary arrests, censorship and administrative abuse against media professionals under the pretext of security regulations.
It further urged security agencies to recognise journalists as essential partners in democratic development rather than adversaries, emphasising that the media’s constitutional responsibility to inform the public must be respected.
On the safety of media workers, the NUJ called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups and international partners to establish effective safety mechanisms and emergency support systems, particularly for reporters operating in high-risk environments.
‘No Journalist Should Die for Reporting the Truth’
The union also appealed to human rights organisations, civil society groups and Nigerians from all walks of life to join the campaign for an environment where journalists can discharge their professional responsibilities without fear, intimidation or favour.
Reaffirming its position, the NUJ declared that an attack on any journalist is an attack on democratic governance, warning that society cannot enjoy transparency, accountability and informed citizenship where those who report the truth are exposed to violence and persecution.
The union maintained that press freedom must not remain a constitutional promise on paper but must be protected through concrete actions, justice and accountability.
“No journalist should pay with their safety, freedom, or life for reporting the truth,” the NUJ declared.
The statement was signed by Alhassan Yahya, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, at the union’s National Secretariat, Abuja.
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