The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE have called on the Federal Government and state governors to take urgent steps to protect journalists and address insecurity and impunity across the country.
The groups also urged the government of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyseom Wike, to uphold press freedom and stop the growing insecurity and widespread human rights abuses in many parts of northern Nigeria.
They made the call in a joint statement issued in Lagos on Sunday to mark World Press Freedom Day.
The statement was made following a conference and interactive session on “the Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria” which was held on Saturday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
SERAP and NGE said, “Protection of journalists and safeguarding information integrity are core drivers of peace, security and democratic stability.
‘Any credible peace, recovery and security strategy for Nigeria must include support for free, independent and pluralistic media, along with humanitarian, institutional and economic responses.
“Deep concern at the scale and persistence of killings, abductions, sexual violence, forced displacement and destruction of property in several parts of northern Nigeria.”
“These patterns, they said, demonstrate systemic failures to prevent foreseeable harm, protect communities, investigate violations, prosecute perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims.
“Such serious violations are serious violations of Nigeria’s obligations under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
The humanitarian consequences are still grave, with communities ruined, livelihoods lost, and victims without effective remedy. “Continued impunity continues to undermine public trust and weaken democratic governance,” the statement said.
The groups said that the Nigerian authorities at all levels have constitutional and international obligations to protect journalists and end insecurity.
They said that the Tinubu administration, state governors and the FCT minister must “exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and remedy human rights violations, including by ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators and their sponsors.”
They also pointed out that the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Conference theme, “Shaping a Future of Peace,” designated by UNESCO, underlines the vital role of free and independent media in peace and development.
“Information violence often precedes physical violence,” the groups warned, adding that protecting journalists is crucial to tackling insecurity and strengthening democracy.
They remembered Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution which makes it mandatory for the media to hold the government accountable, and Section 39 which guarantees freedom of expression.
SERAP and the NGE urged the authorities to ensure press freedom, protect the civic space and ensure prompt, independent investigations of violations, including prosecution of offenders and payment of compensation to victims.
They also called for greater transparency in security operations, the establishment of public reporting systems to monitor incidents and cooperation with international bodies, including UN and African Commission rapporteurs, to investigate human rights violations.
The groups also called on the National Assembly to exercise its oversight powers and hold a public hearing on insecurity and attacks against journalists.
They also urged the international community to put more pressure on Nigerian authorities to take concrete steps to end insecurity and impunity.
At the event, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) said, “In many parts of the north, entire communities are being wiped out and the perpetrators are operating with little or no consequences. Impunity is not only a failure of justice—it is a driver of further violence.”
“Any government that fails to protect its people or refuses to hold perpetrators accountable undermines its own legitimacy,” he said. “Journalists are not the enemy of the State — they are vital partners in exposing abuse, preventing violence, and strengthening democracy.”
Senior media professionals, civil society organizations and other stakeholders attended the event and pledged commitment for promoting the implementation of the recommendations.
World Press Freedom Day 2026 is on May 3, 2026. The theme of this year’s edition is the vital role of independent journalism, the safety of journalists and the impact of artificial intelligence on the integrity of information.
For a better world.
