The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned with utmost outrage the harassment and unlawful arrest of Ms. Azuka Ogujiuba, a distinguished journalist, whose only “offence” is her commitment to truth and professional duty.
In a statement Friday signed by Mr. Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, the union considered the action by security operatives as a “brazen violation of press freedom, a crude assault on democracy, and an attempt to muzzle the media.
Such intimidation tactics have no place in a civilized society and will be resisted by the NUJ with every legitimate means available.
“The continuous persecution of journalists in Nigeria is unacceptable. We remind security agencies that their constitutional duty is to protect citizens, not to harass or silence those who speak for the voiceless. An injury to one journalist is an injury to all, and this Union will not stand idly by while our members are treated as criminals for doing their lawful work.
“We demand the IG of Police to order his men to desist from harassing of Ms. Azuka Ogujiuba and call for an open investigation into the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
“The NUJ also cautions security agencies against further acts of intimidation, warning that we will rally our members across the country and seek international solidarity to resist any attempt to gag the press.
“The NUJ stands firm: journalism is not a crime. The freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy, and any assault on it is an assault on Nigeria itself.”
