Security
By Kennedy Nnamani
THE International Press Centre, IPC, has raised alarm over the reported threat to the life of Saviour Imukudo, a Premium Times journalist.
The Centre said in a statement, signed by Melody Lawal, Press Freedom Officer in Lagos on Saturday that a report published by Premium Times stated that a man who supervised a poorly executed federal project in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, threatened to kill a PREMIUM TIMES journalist over a report on the project.
The report noted that when Saviour Imukudo contacted Andrew Okure, the man who supervised the rehabilitation of the stalls before the newspaper ran a story on the project, he declined to comment.
It added that Okure later called the reporter, Imukudo dishing out threats and a male voice in the background could also be heard issuing additional threats against the reporter.
“Look at you, look at six feet. Don’t worry. Thank God, I know your name now. Somebody is telling you to go and die and you are following the person,” the voice in the background said.
The Centre expressed deep worries about the situation of Imukudo and called on the Nigerian government, the security agencies, other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour and ensure that he is not harmed in any way.
The IPC further enjoined anyone who feels aggrieved over any media reports to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.
“IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks on journalists and other media professionals in Nigeria so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalism practice,” it added.
KN
Tags: Kennedy Nnamani Melody Lawal Premium Times Saviour Imukudo
