The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged assault on Channels Television crew by security operatives during a protest at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) on Tuesday morning.
The Channels TV crew was reportedly covering a protest by professors against the selection process for the university’s vice-chancellor when security operatives allegedly assaulted them, detained them for over an hour, and vandalised their vehicle.
In a statement posted on X platform Wednesday, SERAP condemned the incident and demanded accountability.
“The President Tinubu administration must immediately instruct the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the reports that security operatives brutally assaulted Channels TV crew covering a protest at UniAbuja and vandalised their vehicle”, the organisation said.
The group added, “Those suspected to be responsible must be identified and prosecuted. The authorities must ensure justice and effective remedies for the journalists and crew affected, including financial compensation and repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle and equipment”.
SERAP warned that it would pursue legal action if the government failed to act.
“We’ll see in court if the recommended measures are not promptly taken”, the organisation stated.
The statement further emphasised the need for accountability, “Those responsible for physically attacking journalists and the UniAbuja authorities need to be held to account. The administration needs to make clear that attacks against journalists and media workers will not be tolerated. No journalist should face physical violence for doing their jobs”.
SERAP also urged Nigerian authorities to guarantee press freedom and protect journalists from reprisals.
“The de facto impunity for crimes against journalists and media workers must end”, the statement read.
Citing legal frameworks, SERAP reminded the government of its obligations.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] in section 39 guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, information, and the media. Similarly, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party protect freedom of expression, information, and the media”.
SERAP concluded by stating that the constitutional provisions and international standards serve as critical checks on authorities at all levels, urging the government to respect and uphold these rights.
