The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have called on President Bola Tinubu, state governors and the Federal Capital Territory minister to urgently safeguard press freedom and address rising insecurity across northern Nigeria.
The groups made the call in a joint statement on Saturday to mark World Press Freedom Day, following a conference held in Lagos on the role of the media in promoting accountability and access to justice amid worsening security challenges.
They stressed that protecting journalists and ensuring the integrity of information are critical to peace, security and democratic stability.
“Any credible peace, recovery or security strategy in Nigeria must integrate support for free, independent and pluralistic media,” the statement said.
SERAP and the editors’ guild expressed concern over what they described as persistent killings, abductions, sexual violence and destruction of property in states including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau and Sokoto.
They said thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced, with women and children disproportionately affected.
The groups warned that the continued violence reflects systemic failures to protect communities, investigate abuses and prosecute those responsible.
They said the situation amounts to serious violations of Nigeria’s obligations under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
According to the statement, the humanitarian impact remains severe, with communities destroyed, livelihoods lost and victims left without effective remedies.
They added that persistent impunity is eroding public trust and weakening democratic governance.
The groups urged authorities at all levels to meet their constitutional and international obligations by protecting journalists, ensuring justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
