The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to implement comprehensive security reforms.
NUJ FCT chairman, Grace Ike, made the appeal in a statement marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, highlighting the urgent need due to ongoing insecurity and challenges that threaten democracy, safety, and freedom of expression in the country.
She emphasized that journalists are being targeted, and citizens live in constant fear amid widespread insecurity.
Ike referenced the recent tragic murder of Arise Television journalist Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu as a stark reminder that insecurity remains a critical issue.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the government to safeguard the lives and property of its people. Yet, the senseless killing of our colleague, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a promising journalist, shows the grave reality: insecurity is still a major crisis.
“We cannot truly celebrate independence while journalists are hunted and silenced and citizens live in fear.
“The NUJ FCT Council calls again for thorough security reforms, including community policing, exploring state policing, and the use of modern surveillance tools like CCTV in our cities. The FCT Minister and security agencies must respond decisively with concrete actions, not just words.
“Journalists are not enemies of the state; they are essential to democracy, risking their lives daily to report the truth, amplify people’s voices, and hold leaders accountable,” she added.
This statement follows the heartbreaking death of Arise TV journalist Somtochukwu.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu stated on Wednesday that the country is making progress in the fight against insecurity.
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