By Francis Ajuonuma
The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), and others have decried the militarisation of the civic space.
Their condemnation is coming following the outcome of their meeting with the Defence Intelligence Agency on April 14 after the recent release of the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was detained for 14 days by soldiers over stories published on the platform.
During the meeting, according to a statement by the group of media gatekeepers, the military authorities in their response said they acted to forestall a potential threat to national security and would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), which is the National Media Ombudsman if they had been aware of its existence.
However, the group in the statement made available to the media yesterday, alleged excessive use of force by soldiers in a civic matter that ordinarily should have been handled by the police.
They have, however, referred the matter to the Ombudsman for adjudication with a promise that the outcome would be made public soon.
“We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order, and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution,” the group noted.
Those who signed the release include, Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) / President, Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO); Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON); Eze Anaba, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); Comrade Chris Isiguzo, MFR National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Others are Maureen Chigbo, President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP); Musikilu Mojeed, President, International Press Institute, Nigeria Chapter (IPI Nigeria); Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA); Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC) and Adetokunbo Mumuni, Director Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project (SERAP).
