The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has cautioned the Nigeria Police Force against what it described as repeated harassment of journalist Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub and a former reporter with ThisDay.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its deputies, Fidelis Mbah and Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria said Ogujiuba has been arrested and detained twice and continues to receive police summons to Abuja despite living and working in Lagos.

“Rather than respecting her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of the press, the police have resorted to intimidation, unlawful detention, and repeated summons to Abuja, despite the fact that she resides and works in Lagos,” the statement read.

According to the press body, the journalist was reporting on a court case linked to a land dispute when she became the target of police action. It described the treatment she has faced as “blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties.”

IPI Nigeria stressed that such actions undermine press freedom and violate international obligations binding on Nigeria.

“These actions undermine press freedom, erode public confidence in the rule of law, and constitute a direct violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” the organisation said.

The institute urged Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to call his officers to order and ensure any allegations against Ogujiuba are addressed lawfully. “If the police believe she has committed an offence, the appropriate step is to charge her before a competent court of law—not to subject her to endless intimidation,” it said.

IPI Nigeria further warned that continued harassment could prompt it to include the Inspector-General in its “Book of Infamy,” a public record of individuals and institutions accused of violating press freedom in the country.

“Any attempt to muzzle the press strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s democracy and weakens public trust in its institutions,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its solidarity with Ogujiuba, IPI Nigeria called on law-enforcement agencies to respect constitutional rights and international protections for journalists, stressing that members of the press must be allowed to report matters of public interest without fear of reprisals.