IPC condemns arrest of Fisayo Soyombo, decries threat to Hassan-Wuyo’s life

International Press Centre (IPC), yesterday, condemned the arrest and detention of a journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, after reporting at police headquarters on Monday.

Soyombo’s ordeal followed an invitation by the police over a report by his medium on alleged corruption in execution of some police projects.

The journalist was held from morning till late evening when he was granted bail. His mobile phone was seized, making him unreachable during the period.

Similarly, IPC expressed concern over reported threat to the life of Vanguard reporter, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, who recently wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna Command, saying his life is in danger.

Hassan-Wuyo had received a threatening phone call on December 11, 2021 from the leader of a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

The threat came after the reporter published a story emanating from a press statement by a group clamouring for Igbo presidency in 2023.

According to Hassan-Wuyo, “Shettima Yerima claimed to be insulted in the report, which was published in the online platform of Vanguard, and in other online platforms. My efforts to explain to Shettima that we publish reports from all sides to encourage fairness was not good enough, as the NGO man spoke to me harshly in a militaristic manner, concluding with a threat to my life in Hausa, which could simply mean my life is in danger if I continue with my reports.”

Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said: “We are deeply worried about the situation of Hassan-Wuyo and hereby call on the Nigerian government and security agencies to ensure he is not harmed in anyway. We enjoin anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports of the journalist to seek redress through legal channels.

“We will like to repeat that those who feel aggrieved over media reports should use appropriate means to seek redress and not resort to self-help. IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks on journalists in Nigeria, so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalists to practice across the world.”