Police Said I Won’t Return Soon”: Journalist Detained for Months Over Reports on Ebonyi Lawmaker Chinedu Ogah Investigative journalist and publisher Friday James Alefia has accused Nigerian police of detaining him for weeks over reports linked to Ebonyi lawmaker Chinedu Ogah. Alefia said armed officers arrested him in Lagos in September 2025, seized his gadgets, and held him across multiple facilities, including Abuja’s Abattoir, over alleged cyberstalking and false publications. He insists the reports were legitimate journalism. After months in detention, Alefia was granted bail on December 20, with trial set for January 27, 2026, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and abuse of cybercrime laws in Nigeria. #PressFreedom #JournalismUnderThreat #NigeriaNews

Anambra Journalist Accuses Police, NSCDC of Harassment and Detention at State Assembly Complex Awka-based journalist Izunna Okafor has alleged that police and NSCDC officers attached to the Anambra State House of Assembly harassed, assaulted, detained, and seized his phones while he attempted to cover a budget defence session. Okafor said the operatives blocked his entry, demanded unnecessary confirmation, pushed him, confiscated his devices for recording the encounter, and later attempted to force him into detention. He claimed he was only released after intervention from officials and resisted calls to write an apology letter. The Police Command, however, denied the allegations, insisting no journalist was detained and that officers only enforced standard security protocol. #AnambraNews #PressFreedom #PoliceBrutality

RSF: Israel Responsible for Nearly Half of Journalist Deaths Worldwide in 2025 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has accused Israel of causing nearly half of all journalist deaths recorded globally in 2025. In its annual report, the group revealed that 67 journalists were killed between December 2024 and December 2025, with Israeli forces responsible for 43% of the fatalities—29 of them Palestinian reporters in Gaza. RSF highlighted a deadly “double-tap” airstrike on a Gaza hospital that killed five journalists, suggesting deliberate targeting. The organisation also noted that nearly 220 journalists have been killed since the Gaza conflict began in 2023. Outside the Middle East, Mexico, Sudan, and Ukraine remained dangerous for media workers. RSF further reported 503 journalists imprisoned worldwide as of December 2025, underscoring escalating threats to press freedom. #PressFreedom #RSFReport #JournalistSafety

Coalition Demands IGP Probe Rep. Chinedu Ogah Over Alleged Militia, Journalist Arrests A coalition of civil society organisations in Ebonyi State has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate multiple petitions accusing House of Representatives member Hon. Chinedu Ogah of operating a militia group in Ikwo community. Led by Prof. Joseph Agbo of Ebonyi State University, the coalition said the allegations — including unlawful arrests, prolonged detentions, and assaults on journalists and critics — are too serious to ignore. They cited cases of detained journalist Friday Alefia, TikTok creator Chisom Achor, his brother Chinonso Imeba, Paul Nweke, and the alleged disappearance of social media critic Methuselah Anyigor. The groups also condemned the beating of journalist Godwin Aliuna by Neighbourhood Watch operatives and criticised the Ebonyi NUJ for its silence. The coalition called for equal treatment of all petitions, insisting that while Ogah has the right to defend his reputation, due process must be followed and rights abuses must not be overlooked. #ChineduOgah #EbonyiState #IGPEgbetokun #HumanRights #MilitiaAllegations #PressFreedom #JournalistArrests #CivilSociety #NigeriaNews #Accountability

IPI Blacklists Niger, Akwa Ibom Governors and IGP Egbetokun for Media Repression in Nigeria The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has blacklisted Niger State Governor Umar Bago, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun as top offenders of media repression. Announced during the IPI Annual Conference in Abuja, the blacklist cites persistent harassment of journalists, unlawful shutdowns of media houses, and breach of press freedom across both states. Rights groups have repeatedly condemned the governors and police chief for actions seen as attacks on independent journalism. #PressFreedom #MediaRepression #IPINigeria

Nigerian Police Threaten Journalists In Kano, Detain Reporter Over Facebook Post The Kano State Police Command has come under heavy criticism after detaining and threatening Abdulaziz Aliyu, a journalist with Waraka TV, over a Facebook post, while also attempting to discredit the Association of Kano Online Journalists (ASKOJ) for condemning the harassment. Aliyu said he was lured to the police station under false pretences. “A police officer who identified himself as CSP Sabo called me, claiming I was linked to a stolen phone investigation. But when I got there, it turned out to be about a Facebook publication I made,” Aliyu explained. He was reportedly detained for more than two hours at the Court Road Area Command in Gyadi-Gyadi on September 9, 2025, before being released on bail around 10pm with instructions to return the next day. The post in question was linked to a Hausa historical programme aired on Karama Radio about Sarkin Zazzau Malam Jafaru Ɗan Isiyaku, ruler of Zazzau from 1937 to 1959, which was also shared on Waraka Online TV. Following the incident, ASKOJ condemned the growing harassment of journalists, warning that press freedom was under siege. “The increasing cases of police invitations and detentions of journalists across the country are deeply worrying and must be condemned. Journalism is constitutionally recognized, yet some individuals intoxicated by power see it as a threat and use state resources to intimidate and harass journalists,” ASKOJ chairman Yakubu Salisu stated. However, the Kano Police Command denied detaining Aliyu, insisting he was only “invited” following a written complaint. Police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa further accused Salisu of misinformation and threatened legal action, adding that neither Aliyu nor Salisu were registered members of the NUJ. Despite the denial, journalists and rights activists in Kano view the police response as a threat and attempt to silence the press. 📌 Source: SaharaReporters #PressFreedom #Kano #NigeriaPolice

Imo Journalist Granted ₦2m Bail After 30 Days in Custody Over Alleged Defamation of Governor’s Aide Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, has been granted bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri after spending 30 days in detention at the Tiger Base Police Unit. Ogbonna, who faces allegations of cybercrime against a government official, was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million. The court also directed him to provide a surety with proof of landed property ownership within its jurisdiction and obtain the endorsement of a traditional ruler for the bail bond. Presiding Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi ruled that the case is bailable and adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for hearing. The journalist, who appeared in court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge of alleged cyberbullying, including claims of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media. His detention and trial have triggered outrage among journalists in Imo State, who described the development as an attack on press freedom. They also urged the state’s police commissioner to restrain officers from being used by government officials to intimidate citizens. 📌 Source: SaharaReporters #ImoState #PressFreedom #BreakingNews

EXCLUSIVE: Emir Of Lafiagi Threatens Journalists Over Reports On Terrorist Attacks In Kwara North Journalists in Kwara State are facing mounting intimidation after the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, reportedly threatened them for consistently reporting terrorist and bandit attacks in Kwara North communities. Sources told SaharaReporters that the monarch summoned journalists to his palace on Sunday, warning them to stop publishing reports on insecurity, which he claimed were “embarrassing” Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. According to insiders, the Emir said he was acting on the governor’s directive and cautioned that journalists who defied the order risked arrest. The threat comes amid rising insecurity in Lafiagi, Patigi, and surrounding areas, where residents have endured repeated kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands by bandits. Journalists and media platforms including SaharaReporters, Nupeko TV, and Informant247 have previously accused the state government of attempting to silence coverage of insecurity. The development follows the detention of blogger Abdulsamad Oloyin, popularly known as “Yolo,” by the NSCDC last week over alleged defamation, further fueling concerns of a clampdown on press freedom in the state. Source: SaharaReporters #Kwara #PressFreedom #Insecurity

NRC MD Kayode Opeifa Accused of Assaulting Female Journalist The NUJ FCT Council has condemned alleged harassment of NTA reporter Ladi Bala by Nigerian Railway Corporation MD, Kayode Opeifa. Bala was covering the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment when Opeifa allegedly disrupted her livestream, verbally abused her, and ordered security to eject her. NUJ demanded an immediate public apology, calling the incident “an affront on press freedom and democracy,” and vowed to pursue accountability. #PressFreedom #MediaRights #NigeriaNews #NUJ

FIJ Journalist Assaulted, Threatened By Lagos Police Over Extortion Probe FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu was assaulted at Ikeja Police Command after questioning officers accused of extorting detainees. He was beaten, had his phone seized, and was threatened with beheading. Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin promised investigations and accountability. #PressFreedom #PoliceBrutality #NigeriaNews #Accountability

Even Babangida, Abacha Never Tried This” – Akinnola Slams IGP Over SaharaReporters Account Freeze Journalist and lawyer Richard Akinnola has condemned IGP Kayode Egbetokun for securing a court order to probe and freeze the accounts of Omoyele Sowore & SaharaReporters over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering. He described the move as “unprecedented in democracy”, stressing that even under the military juntas of Babangida and Abacha, security agencies never attempted such against the media. Akinnola questioned why notorious terrorists like Bello Turji roam freely while the police target journalists, warning that the action casts the Tinubu govt in bad light and smacks of a personal vendetta. The Abuja Federal High Court has ordered six banks—including UBA, GTB, Zenith, Opay, Moniepoint, and Kuda—to release financial records of Sowore and SaharaReporters from Jan 2024 till date. #Nigeria #PressFreedom #IGPEgbetokun #Tinubu

Sowore Faces Court As IGP Egbetokun Drags Him Over Forgery, Cyberbullying Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore appeared at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday after being charged by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged forgery and cyberbullying. Sowore, who arrived with supporters, described the case as a political witch-hunt, branding Egbetokun an “illegal IGP” and accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of using repressive tactics to silence critics. The IGP alleged that Sowore forged and circulated a police wireless message to damage the force’s image. The court had earlier ordered six banks to release Sowore’s account details over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering. Sowore dismissed the accusations as baseless, vowing not to be intimidated. #Sowore #NigeriaPolitics #PressFreedom

Nigerian Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba Rejects ‘Forced’ Police Apology, Alleges Torture Lagos-based journalist Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, has rejected an apology letter she says was coerced by police under torture and harassment. Ogujiuba described her 3-day detention without food, phone seizure, intimidation, and physical abuse, raising alarm over press freedom and journalists’ safety in Nigeria. She insisted she was innocent of alleged cyberbullying and defamation, noting that multiple outlets published the same court documents cited in the case. The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) condemned her treatment, warning it undermines democracy and urging the police to follow due process instead of harassment. #PressFreedom #Nigeria #Journalism

Lagos Coroner Orders Hospital to Release Records on #EndSARS Journalist Pelumi Onifade’s Death A Lagos coroner has given Ikorodu General Hospital seven days to provide records on the deposit, release, or current status of the remains of Pelumi Onifade, a Gboah TV reporter who died in police custody during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The order follows a Federal High Court directive for a full investigation into his death. #EndSARS #JusticeForPelumi #PressFreedom #NigeriaNews

🗣️ “Who Are You, Sir?” – Deji Adeyanju Slams Pastor David Ibiyeomie Over Threats to Journalists Activist Deji Adeyanju has publicly criticized popular clergyman Pastor David Ibiyeomie after a viral video showed the pastor threatening to arrest bloggers and journalists who speak negatively about him or his church. In the video, Pastor Ibiyeomie warns media professionals to “watch their mouths” when speaking about men of God, saying he’ll personally ensure their arrest if they cross the line. His remarks stirred controversy, prompting Adeyanju to respond sharply. “Who are you, sir, that people can’t talk about your church or criticize you?” Deji asked in a social media post. “You are not above scrutiny. This is a democracy, not a theocracy. Everyone — including pastors — must be open to public accountability.” Adeyanju’s reaction reflects growing concern over freedom of expression and press rights in Nigeria, especially when influential figures attempt to silence critics. Many Nigerians have since joined the conversation, defending the role of the media and condemning any form of intimidation against free speech. ⸻ #DejiAdeyanju #DavidIbiyeomie #FreedomOfSpeech #PressFreedom