The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has revealed that state actors were responsible for about 74% of all attacks on journalists in Nigeria between January and October 2025.
In its 129-page report titled “When Protectors Become Predators: The State Against Freedom of Expression in Nigeria,” the group stated that the Nigeria Police Force was the worst offender, responsible for 45% of all recorded violations.
Security Forces and Officials Linked to Violations
According to MRA, the Department of State Services (DSS), military, and paramilitary agencies also participated in attacks against journalists. In addition, several elected and appointed officials were involved in harassment and intimidation.
During the review period, the group documented 69 separate incidents, including arrests, detentions, abductions, and raids on media offices. These recurring violations, it warned, have created fear and self-censorship among journalists. Consequently, public trust in institutions continues to decline.
MRA Urges Government to Act
MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said Nigerian journalists now face increasing threats from the very institutions meant to protect them. He described the situation as a major breakdown of accountability and a threat to democracy.
He also reminded the government of its duty to protect journalists under the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, MRA called for a national protection mechanism for journalists and urged the National Assembly to pass laws criminalizing attacks on media workers. The group demanded reforms in the Cybercrime Act (2015) to prevent its misuse against free expression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MRA emphasized that press freedom is the foundation of democracy. It urged the Nigerian government to strengthen accountability, retrain security forces, and ensure that offenders face justice.
Only through transparency and decisive action, the organization said, can Nigeria rebuild trust and guarantee freedom of expression.
