News
Editors Condemn Increasing Spate of Journalists’ Abduction
· Say Cyber Crimes Act not enacted to persecute journalists
· Urge government to step up fight against terrorists, bandits
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the increasing sequence of abduction and arrest of journalists in the country by security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, under the guise of enforcing the Cyber Security Act, and warned of the consequence 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 falling 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 country and its people.
The Guild stated these in a press statement issued and 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, weekend.
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.
‘’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 editors added.
The NGE noted the harsh economic ecosystem under which the media currently operates in Nigeria, and called on the federal government to ensure the sustainability of the media industry through robust economic policies and direct interventions that are capable of enhancing 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 in order to flush out terrorists and insurgents, who have continued to perpetrate mayhem in some communities.
The NGE also decried the current high cost of living – exacerbated by the harsh economic policies and programmes of the federal government, and called for sustainable interventions to mitigate the several biting effects of the policies.
The Guild expressed its appreciation to the Rivers State Government for providing a conducive environment for the meeting and hoped that the current peace-initiative by the government will be sustained in the general interest of the people and development.
News
PFIPC: Adeyemi should be prosecuted – ICPC chairman
President Tinubu had on July 7, mandated the ICPC to investigate the matter and submit its report within 30 days.
• State House Photo:The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu, submit an interim report of its investigation on PFIPC, to President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, August 6,2026
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the Federal Government to prosecute the Director -General of the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.
The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu, made the call on Thursday when he submitted an interim report of its investigation into the controversy surrounding the existence of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) .
As part of the recommendations, the ICPC boss said Mr Adeyemi should be prosecuted, while administrative sanctions should be imposed on public officers “whose acts of omissions, negligence, facilitated the illegal operation of the council because our investigation found that some public officers failed to do due diligence.”
President Tinubu had on July 7, mandated the ICPC to investigate the matter and submit its report within 30 days.
Submitting the report, the ICPC chairman said that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council “was never established by any law or executive order or other instrument of government, and the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi Matthew was completely forged alongside similar documents used to perpetuate the illegal activities of the fake agency.”
“What we discovered was that the office used by the fake agency was broken into. The lock was broken, and he had access to the office. That was how he was able to get inside that office, and also the false widespread impersonation and wide range of illegal activities were perpetrated by the fake DG or the fake agency, Adeyemi.”
He emphasised that public officers should also be sanctioned, because “They failed to adhere with the standard procedures that are supposed to be complied with in their ministries and departments, and that gave Adeyemi Matthew the opportunity to conduct this illegal act.
“Then institutional reform has also been recommended that there is need for institutional reform so that the internal control of the MDAs can be strengthened to block this kind of illegal activity.”
News
PSC hands over 50,000 newly recruited constables to police for training
Receiving the recruits on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, who oversees the Force Training and Development Department, commended the commission for conducting what he described as a transparent recruitment exercise.
• IGP Tunji Disu
The Police Service Commission on Thursday formally handed over 50,000 newly recruited police constables to the Nigeria Police Force for training.
A statement issued on Thursday by the commission’s spokesperson, Torty Kalu, said the handover was presided over by retired Justice Paul Galumje, Commissioner I.
The statement said the recruitment exercise was conducted in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu and relevant statutory provisions.
Galumje thanked the President for his support of the recruitment process and formally presented the successful candidates to the Nigeria Police Force for training at designated police colleges and other approved institutions.
He also handed over the detailed list of successful candidates, contained in a flash drive, to the police authorities.
Receiving the recruits on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, who oversees the Force Training and Development Department, commended the commission for conducting what he described as a transparent recruitment exercise.
News
Kogi vigilantes clash leaves eight dead
Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Abdullahi Adamu, confirmed the incident, clarifying that the violence was not a bandit attack on the affected communities.
• One of the dead victims / Ohibaba image
At least eight people have been killed following a violent clash between local vigilante members and Fulani vigilantes in the villages of Abugi, Mikugi, and Gudanchi, all located in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The violence which erupted on Thursday, has thrown residents of Abugi and surrounding communities into panic.
Sources said the crisis began after a confrontation between a member of the local vigilante group and his counterparts from the Fulani vigilante group.
The disagreement reportedly escalated when one of the men allegedly opened fire, killing the other instantly.
The killing triggered a series of reprisal attacks, with the death toll rising to at least eight as of the time of this report.
The exact number of those injured is yet to be confirmed.
Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Abdullahi Adamu, confirmed the incident, clarifying that the violence was not a bandit attack on the affected communities.
The council chairman said security agencies had been briefed and promised to provide further details as investigations progress.
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