Amnesty International has condemned what it described as the continued attempt by the police to arbitrarily arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer concerning Ibrahim Masari, an aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The rights organisation said the reported pursuit of the journalist amounted to a disregard for due process and an abuse of police powers, warning that such actions could further undermine press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
In a statement, Amnesty International expressed concern over what it described as increasing pressure on journalists and independent media organisations reporting on issues of public interest.
The organisation specifically cited the alleged targeting of JKD Radio/Television as part of what it characterised as a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at creating fear within Nigerian newsrooms and making it increasingly difficult for journalists to carry out their professional duties.
Amnesty argued that independent media play a critical role in ensuring that citizens have access to fair, objective and credible information on issues affecting their lives.
It maintained that no public official, regardless of position or political influence, should be shielded from legitimate scrutiny, criticism or public-interest reporting.
The organisation said efforts to intimidate journalists or media organisations ultimately deprive the public of its right to receive information and hold public officials accountable.
Amnesty called for respect for due process and an end to actions that could be perceived as attempts to intimidate or silence journalists exercising their professional responsibilities.
It warned that attacks on independent media not only threaten individual journalists but also undermine the broader principles of press freedom, accountability and democratic governance.
“An attack on the media is an attack on freedom,” the organisation stressed.
