News
Leave journalists alone, fight terrorists, bandits, editors tell FG
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the frequent abduction and arrest of journalists in the country by security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), under the guise of enforcing the Cybersecurity Act.
The Guild warned of the consequences of such illegal actions on press freedom.
The professional body of media executives and senior editors also warned of the dangers of allowing certain territories of the Nigerian states to fall into the hands of terrorists and bandits and expressed optimism that the federal government has all it takes to flush out these enemies of the country and guarantee peace and security of the people.
The Guild stated these in a press statement signed by its president, Mr Eze Anaba, and the general secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, at the end of its Standing Committee meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to the Guild, ‘’The meeting deliberated on the state of the media with emphasis on the increasing spate of abduction and arrest of journalists in the country – under the guise of enforcing the Cyber Security Act, and warned of the implications of such illegal actions on press freedom.
The professional body of media executives and editors, while warning the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, against press freedom violation, called for a proper understanding and intention of the Cyber Security Act, declaring that the law was enacted as a legal framework for combating cybercrimes and not for persecuting journalists, who are performing their legitimate duties in a democracy.’’
The editors particularly condemned the method of abduction/arrest of journalists, the long detention and inhuman treatment they are subjected to, and said it was a negation of a democratic space.
It said, ‘’Press freedom is the ability of the media to report news and express opinion without government interference, censorship, or retribution. It is a fundamental human right essential for a healthy democracy, allowing citizens to access accurate information, hold leaders accountable, and participate in informed public discourse.’’.
The NGE noted the harsh economic ecosystem in which the media currently operates in Nigeria and called on the federal government to ensure the industry’s sustainability through robust economic policies and direct interventions that can enhance its capacity to transcend existing challenges.
Commenting on the state of the nation, the Guild congratulated the government on its one year in office and advised it to step up its fight against insecurity in certain parts of the country to flush out terrorists and insurgents, who have continued to perpetrate mayhem in some communities.
NGE also decried the current high cost of living, exacerbated by the federal government’s harsh economic policies and programmes, and called for sustainable interventions to mitigate the policies’ several biting effects.
The Guild expressed its appreciation to the Rivers State Government for providing a conducive environment for the meeting and hoped that the government’s current peace initiative would be sustained in the general interest of the people and development.
Governor Alex Otti says he is not bothered about the noise coming from members of the opposition parties in Abia State.
Otti said his critics should not be taken serious as they are not coming out to contest elections but to seek negotiations and relevance.
Governor Otti stated this while receiving the member representing Bende North constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Nnamdi Ibekwe who recently dumped the PDP and joined the Labour Party, LP in Abia State.
“We are not bothered about the oppositions and their noise. There are different reasons why people show up for elections.
Sometimes, they just want recognition; that their names showed up for the primaries, knowing fully well that they will not win the election.
“Some of them also come for negotiations and then of course, some others also show up for projections; they look at themselves and say, ‘if I start the noise in 2025, maybe by 2040, they will know that I have been in the race and they will call me and recognize me’, so they are projecting themselves,” Gov. Otti explained.
Governor Otti said he is rather focused on doing the job the people elected him to do and respond to the noise of the opposition across the State.
He congratulated Nnamdi Ibekwe for dumping the PDP for LP, explaining that nobody pressured him to come over to the LP, reiterating that he does not emphasize much on political platforms.
Earlier while presenting himself to the Governor, the member representing Bende North constituency, Nnamdi Ibekwe said he was attracted to the Labour Party by the achievements of Governor Alex Otti which he described as unprecedented.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force has directed his men to resume the issuance of tinted glass permits across the country.
This development was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the Force spokesperson, the move comes in response to rising concerns and complaints from the public over the harassment of vehicle owners by law enforcement agents for using factory-fitted tinted windows.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reactivated the issuance of Tinted Glass Permits (TGP) nationwide through a secure and user-friendly digital platform.
“This initiative comes in response to widespread public complaints about the harassment of motorists over the use of tinted windows and reflects the need for a clear, transparent, and accountable process for regularising factory-fitted tinted glass on vehicles”, the statement partly read.
Highlighting the prevalence of modern vehicles designed with tinted windows for comfort and aesthetics, the police emphasised the importance of having a formal system to regulate usage.
“With modern automobiles increasingly manufactured with tinted windows, it has become essential to provide a standardised system that accommodates legitimate use while ensuring public safety.
“Tinted vehicles have often been exploited for criminal purposes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, ‘one-chance’ scams, and other forms of banditry”, Adejobi explained.
According to the statement, the abuse of tinted windows by criminals creates operational challenges for law enforcement and compromises national security.
In addition, he explained that law enforcement will begin active implementation after the grace period, and the police warn that officers who misuse the enforcement process will be sanctioned.
“Enforcement will commence at the end of this period. Officers found engaging in unprofessional conduct, such as extortion or harassment, in the course of enforcement will be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant disciplinary procedures”, he said.
By Gloria Ikibah
-
Metro13 hours agoGunmen storm University of Benin teaching hospital, kill doctor
-
Metro13 hours agoFCTA destroys 601 motorbikes over violations
-
News13 hours agoJust in: FG declares tomorrow public holiday
-
News4 hours agoAlleged money laundering: EFCC produces Aisha Achimugu in court
-
News6 hours agoJUST IN: Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu Rtd, dies at 84
-
News9 hours agoSAD! Professor’s son takes own life inside varsity staff quarters
-
News13 hours agoFull list: FG approves N110bn to rehabilitate medical schools 18 institutions
-
News6 hours agoTinubu hails Dangote’s World Bank appointment