The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to implement comprehensive security reforms to safeguard lives and protect press freedom.
In a statement marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, said insecurity continues to endanger democracy, safety, and freedom of expression in the country.
She lamented that journalists are increasingly being targeted, citing the recent killing of Arise Television reporter, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, as evidence of the grave threats facing media practitioners.
“It is the constitutional duty of the government to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Yet, the senseless and avoidable killing of our colleague tragically underscores the reality: insecurity remains a pressing crisis,” Ike said.
The NUJ stressed that independence cannot be truly celebrated when citizens live in fear and journalists are silenced. It called for urgent measures such as community policing, consideration of state police, and the use of modern surveillance tools like CCTV cameras in major cities.
“Journalists are not enemies of the state; they are the lifeblood of democracy, risking their lives daily to tell the truth, amplify the voices of the people, and hold those in power accountable,” the council added.
The call comes as President Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, insisted that Nigeria is “winning the war on insecurity.”