BREAKING: We urge President Bola Tinubu [ @oficialABAT ] to direct the Inspector General of Police, @TunjiDisu1 to promptly, thoroughly and transparently investigate the brutal assault on Mr. Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with @NTANewsNow on 13 March while covering a Ramadan Iftar at the palace of the Etsu Nupe in Bida, Niger State. According to reports, the attack was allegedly carried out by private security personnel acting on the instruction of Mr. Shehu Maikano, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago [ @HonBago ] President Tinubu should immediately direct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the role played by governor Mohammed Bago in the assault on Musa Mikail, and make clear to the governor and his government that no state governor or public official is above the law, and that the use of security personnel to intimidate or assault journalists will not be tolerated by his administration. The President should also ensure that any official found to have ordered, condoned, or participated in the attack is held accountable, including through appropriate disciplinary measures or referral for prosecution, and that Musa Mikail is provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation. Governor Mohammed Bago and his government MUST end the persistent attacks on press freedom, the rule of law, and democratic accountability in Niger State. Journalists play a critical role in informing the public and holding those in power to account, and the continuing intimidation and attempt to silence them by the Niger State government is unacceptable and unlawful. Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information without interference. This constitutional protection extends to journalists carrying out their professional duties and imposes a duty on public officials to respect and protect media freedom. Section 34 of the Constitution guarantees the right to dignity of the human person, including freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment. The reported physical assault on Mr. Mikail, if established, would amount to a clear violation of this fundamental right. Under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has domesticated, every individual has the right to receive and disseminate information. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has consistently affirmed that attacks on journalists constitute a violation of this right and undermine democratic governance. Under Article 19 of the ICCPR, the right to freedom of expression includes the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information. The UN Human Rights Committee has made clear that states must not only refrain from interfering with journalists but must also protect them from attacks by third parties, including private individuals acting on the instruction or with the acquiescence of public officials. Persistent impunity for attacks on journalists undermines democracy, weakens public trust, and emboldens further violations. Holding perpetrators accountable is essential not only for justice in this case but also for safeguarding the broader environment for press freedom in Nigeria. In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, public officials must never use their positions or security apparatus to suppress the media. Rather, they have a legal and moral duty to uphold, protect, and promote the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and international human rights law.

BREAKING: The Tinubu administration must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore and other protesters reportedly arbitrarily arrested following a peaceful protest on Monday in Abuja. No one should ever be arrested simply for peacefully exercising their human rights. The authorities must immediately release Omoyele Sowore and all the protesters arbitrarily detained and end the violations of protesters' rights. Peaceful assembly is a fundamental right. The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party guarantee the rights of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Nigerian authorities must uphold and ensure the effective enjoyment of these fundamental rights.

Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right. Protest is a fundamental right.