In Nigeria, four Journalists have been reportedly shot dead within a period of eight months by unidentified gunmen.
The latest involves a freelance broadcast journalist, Abdul Ganiyu Lawal, which occurred on November 23, 2017, at the Apepe Farm Settlement in Araromi Oke in Ekiti East Local Government Area, Ekiti State.
The broadcaster reportedly left home on a fateful night for hunting in the bush after holding a meeting with his hunter friends. Lawal had failed to return at 10pm as promised.
His family had called his line upon getting no response, made a report at the Ilasa Police Station and a search commenced.
A tip from the villagers led the police and relatives to the lifeless body of Lawal riddled with bullet wounds.
Ekiti State Police Command spokesperson, Alberto Adeyemi, said investigations are on-going and also revealed that the assailant took away the deceased’s hunting gun.
Wumi Ajisafe, the Ekiti State coordinator of the Freelance Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), described the late Lawal as a perfect gentleman and urged the police to do everything in apprehending the perpetrators.
Only 13 days ago, unknown gunmen had killed Ikechukwu Onubogu, a cameraman with the Anambra Broadcasting Services.
Lawrence Okojie of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Edo State was shot dead while returning from work on July 8, and Famous Giobaro, a desk editor with Glory FM in Bayelsa State was also shot dead on April 16 by unknown gunmen bringing the number of murdered journalist to four.
However, while there is no evidence that the victims were targeted because of their work, only a thorough investigation can establish the motives behind the killings.
The International Press Centre (IPC), said it was unfortunate that Nigeria ranks high among countries where press freedom of expression is under threat, noting that the database of its Safety Alert Desk reveals not less than fourteen incidents of assault, battery, threat, arrest, kidnap, killing and invasion of journalists and media institutions within one year.
The incidents include:
1) Jerry Edoho of Ibom Nation, Akwa Ibom State: He was picked up in Uyo by police personnel from the Force headquarters in Abuja on January 6.
2) NsebietJohn of The Ink, Akwa-Ibom State: He was detained for a night inpolicecell, arraigned and granted bail to the sum of N250, 000 on January 6.
3) Premium Times Abuja: The premises were invaded by armed police officers on January 19.
4) Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher, Premium Times and Evelyn Okakwu, Judiciary correspondent: Both were arrested by armed police officers on January 19.
5) GodwinAliunaof National Mirror, Ebonyi State: He was attacked by alleged armed robbers in his residence on February 22.
6) Famous Giobaro, a journalist with Bayelsa State-owned radio station, Glory FM 97.1: He was shot dead by suspected hired assassins on April 16.
7) Samuel Nweze, Publisher of the People’s Leader: He was shot by gunmen in front of his office in Abakaliki on June 2.
8) Charles Otu of the Conscience Newspaper: He was beaten to stupor with dangerous weapons and later abducted by suspected political thugs in Abakaliki on June 2.
9) Lawrence Okojie of Nigerian Television Authority, Benin: He was shot dead by gunmen while returning from work on July 8.
10) Amadin Uyi of Silverbird Television, Abuja: He was brutalized by police officers during the protest by Ourmumudondo group at Unity Fountain in Abuja on August 8.
11) Segun Salami of Channels Television, Kogi: He was battered at the state house detentioncentreby security personnel attached to Kogi State government house on August 28.
12) NUJ secretariat, Abia State: Invaded by Nigerian soldiers of Operation Python Dance on September 12 during assaulting some journalists.
13) Wale Odunsi, an editor with Daily Post (online publication): He was reportedly attacked by security officials at the Kogi State government house on October 11.
14) Ikechukwu Ibe of the Daily Trust Newspapers: He was allegedly brutally assaulted by an Army captain at Jabi area of Abuja on October 26.
The Director of the IPC, Lanre Arogundade, called for the urgent attention of media stakeholders to curb the undeserving maltreatment and brutality of News personnel.
Nations that are journalist-friendly include Austria, Norway, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, with special laws protecting journalists.
Also, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Andorra and Germany are rated high among nations that are friendly to journalists.
A global immunity index revealed that Nigeria is the 12th out of 13 countries where murder of journalists is high.
Somalia maintained the first position as the worst country where journalists have been murdered with impunity.
Other countries in the index are Iraq, Syria, Philippines, South Sudan, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Bangladeshi, (Nigeria), and India.
