Arrests: Nigerians, CSOs, unions, urged to reject authoritarianism under Tinubu

HURIWA flays crackdown on journalists, warns of emerging dictatorship

Following the indiscriminate arrest of journalists and labour leaders, activists have called on trade unions, civil society organisations, student groups, professional associations and concerned citizens to come together and resist authoritarianism in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Dr James Uanhoro and Dr Izielen Agbon, who stated this in a piece made available to journalists, yesterday, called on all organisations and individuals committed to justice to work in unison to defend democratic rights.

Also, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the increasing harassment and intimidation of journalists across Nigeria, warning that this rising climate of impunity poses a grave threat to press freedom and democracy under Tinubu.

The activists highlighted some of the anti-democratic acts and antics of the Tinubu administration to include the detention of over 2,000 activists for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, arrest of journalists, harassment of labour leaders, violation of Labour House and the premises of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR, as well as the freezing of bank accounts, midnight raids on activists’ homes, arrest of active Nigerians in Diaspora visiting home.

They said the acts were meant to silence those who dared to resist Tinubu’s undemocratic tendencies.

According to them, the Tinubu regime’s tactics are not just attacks on specific individuals, trade unions or groups; they are attacks on the entire foundation of a democratic society.

“The government’s actions cannot go unchallenged. We must organise, mobilise and resist these authoritarian moves at every level. For decades, we waged a tough and determined struggle to end military rule, ultimately achieving victory in 1999. It was a hard-fought battle, driven by the collective will of activists, trade unionists, civil society groups and citizens, who believed in a democratic future.

“Today, those same democratic principles are under direct attack by a government veering towards authoritarianism,” they asserted, describing Tinubu’s antics as a clear sign of a government that fears accountability and is desperate to maintain control through force and intimidation.

HURIWA’s concerns stem from troubling incidents, including the recent summoning of three journalists from Alimosho Today, a community news outlet in Lagos, by the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 2 Command.

The group, in a statement, yesterday, by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, revealed that Wisdom Okezie (Reporter), Ayomide Eweje (Managing Editor) and Oluwamodupe Akinola (Publisher) were summoned to appear at Zone 2 yesterday.

“The summonses were reportedly issued through letters dated August 22, 2024, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Martin Nwogoh, on behalf of the AIG. Notably, the letters did not disclose the complainant’s identity or the nature of the inquiry, raising serious concerns about the intention behind the questioning,” HURIWA stated.

It criticised this development, warning that such actions foster a “climate of impunity where journalists are increasingly targeted” for just performing their duties.

The association accused the police of being used by public officials and powerful individuals to silence the press.

It also condemned the growing trend of security agencies using complaints about media reports as a pretext to arrest, detain or charge journalists without verifying the accuracy of their stories.

The rights group further highlighted a series of alarming incidents where journalists had been harassed, detained and intimidated under dubious charges, particularly under the Cybercrime Act.

HURIWA noted that the attacks on the press were clear signs of an administration seeking to silence voices of dissent and suppress free speech. It pointed out that at least 11 journalists had been detained on questionable allegations since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

It said: “Among the journalists targeted is Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and detained without communication for three days before being transferred to Abuja.

“Similarly, Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews, was arrested by heavily armed military personnel and detained in an underground cell for 14 days over a report implicating a top government official in a $30 billion financial scandal.”

The cases of Kasarachi Aniagolu of The Whistler, who was arrested and physically assaulted while covering an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raid in Abuja; Achadu Gabriel of Daybreak, who was detained and arraigned on charges of defamation and incitement; and Godwin Tsa of The Sun, who was assaulted and detained while covering a peaceful protest in Abuja were also highlighted.

The group urged international bodies and foreign governments to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for its actions against the press.