Press Attack
Database of attacks on the Media/Freedom of Expression
Perpetrators of attacks
Gender of victims
Location of attacks
Type of incidents
| Name | Gender | Date of Incident | Type of Incident | Location | Media Type | Perpetrator | Excerpt | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalists | Not Applicable | April 8, 2026 | Bar | Federal Capital Territory (FCT) | Media | Police | On April 8, 2026, journalists were prevented from entering the Kugbo Bus Terminal in Abuja while attempting to report on damage to the structure caused by a windstorm and heavy rainfall that hit the area a day earlier. According to media reports, the restriction was enforced by police officers stationed at the entrance, who stated that access was being denied based on instructions from authorities overseeing the Federal Capital Territory. | |
| Mr Allwell Eneh | Male | April 14, 2026 | Assault | Rivers | Beat99.9 FM radio | Thugs | On April 14, 2026, a reporter with Beat99.9 FM radio in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, a commercial English-medium entertainment, music and information station owned by Megalectrics Limited, Mr Allwell Eneh, was assaulted by a group of unidentified individuals at the Garrison Bus Stop area in Port Harcourt while carrying out his professional duties. | |
| Abdulmumin Imam | Male | April 7, 2026 | Arrest and Detention | Federal Capital Territory (FCT) | Social Media | Police | On April 7, 2026, Abdulmumin Imam, an Abuja-based social media commentator and activist, was detained by the police for two days over Facebook posts alleging the diversion of palliatives meant for vulnerable residents of Taraba State. | |
| Officials of the Kano State Government | Not Applicable | April 11, 2026 | Arrest and Detention | Kano | Officials of the Kano State Government | Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso | The Department of State Services (DSS) on April 11, 2026, detained and questioned some officials of the Kano State Government following a petition by the Kwankwasiyya Movement alleging cyberbullying and defamation of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other leaders of the movement on social media. | |
| Mr. Musa Mikail | Male | March 12, 2026 | Threats | Niger | Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) | Security Operatives Attached to the Niger State Governor | On March 12, 2026, Mr. Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Bida Station in Niger State, was assaulted by security operatives attached to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, during a Ramadan iftar at Wadata Palace in Bida Local Government Area. Mikail said he and his cameraman were standing while covering the event when the Governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) approached and demanded they move away. | |
| Mr. Segun O’Law | Male | March 8, 2026 | Threats | Lagos | Objectv Media | Minister of Works, Mr David Nweze Umahi | On March 8, 2026, Segun O’Law, a journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Objectv Media, alleged that he received a threatening WhatsApp message from Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Mr David Nweze Umahi, in Lagos. O’Law said the message accused him of secretly recording a meeting between the Minister and delegates from WinHomes Estate, led by Stella Ukengu, and sharing it without consent. The sender demanded a public apology “on his terms” and implied consequences if the demand was not met. | |
| Mr Abubakar Mark Sule | Male | February 24, 2026 | Threats | Kogi | Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) | Mr Ahmed Adam Quincy | On February 24, 2026, Mr Abubakar Mark Sule, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was reportedly threatened during a phone call by Mr Ahmed Adam Quincy, a businessman from Kogi State, after the journalist contacted him for comments regarding claims linking him to the arrest and continued detention of Mr Stephen Akpa Achema, an engineer. | |
| Mr Habeeb Adejobi | Male | March 11, 2026 | Assault | Lagos | Muri International Television (MITV) | Political Thugs | On March 11, 2026, Mr Habeeb Adejobi, a journalist with Muri International Television (MITV), was attacked by suspected loyalists of the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Hon. Moyo Ogunlewe, inside the council secretariat in Ogudu, Lagos, while carrying out his professional duties. | |
| Ms Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie | Female | March 10, 2026 | Threats | Federal Capital Territory (FCT) | Freelance | Mr Lere Olayinka, spokesperson and Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital | On March 10, 2026, Ms Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer, historian and journalist, raised concerns about possible intimidation after receiving a message implying that she could be arrested from Mr Lere Olayinka, spokesperson and Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following her report on water scarcity in Abuja. | |
| Mr. Daniel Dafe Umukoro | Male | March 3, 2026 | Arrest | Delta | Oasis Magazine | Department of State Services (DSS) | On March 3, 2026, Mr. Daniel Dafe Umukoro, publisher of Oasis Magazine and founder of the online platform, oasismagazine.com.ng, was arrested in Abraka, Delta State, by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). He was reportedly picked up by four armed DSS operatives from the Bayelsa State Command, accompanied by another officer from the Delta State Command. |