SERAP, Editors Sound Alarm Over Rising Attacks on Nigerian Journalists
Journalists, Activists, and Civil Society Groups in Nigeria are facing escalating harassment and intimidation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) warned on Tuesday, urging President Bola Tinubu, State Governors, and Security Agencies to stop the crackdown.
The warning came during a joint press conference in Lagos marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day, where the groups said restrictive laws and abusive lawsuits are increasingly being used to silence critics, undermine press freedom, and weaken democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.
SERAP and NGE accused authorities of misusing the Cybercrimes Act, criminal and penal codes, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) to stifle dissent.
They demanded the immediate release of individuals detained solely for exercising their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly and urged the withdrawal of pending charges against Journalists and activists Nationwide.
“The continued use of repressive laws and abusive litigation to intimidate Journalists and civil society Actors is inconsistent with Nigeria’s Constitution and International human rights obligations,” the groups said.
They highlighted that criminal defamation and cybercrime-related prosecutions have generated fear within the media space, restricting information flow and discouraging public accountability.
A legal challenge before the ECOWAS Court contests the 2024 amendment to the Cybercrimes Act, particularly Section 24 on cyberstalking, which critics say is being used to silence online expression. The groups called on law enforcement Agencies to suspend the law’s application until the court delivers its ruling.
Recent reports underscore a worrying trend. Reporters Without Borders ranks Nigeria 122nd in its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, down ten places from last year.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development recorded 110 verified attacks on journalists in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s total. The Committee to Protect Journalists also reported several journalists detained under the Cybercrimes Act following legal reforms.
SERAP and NGE listed multiple cases of Journalists and Digital Publishers arrested or summoned over Online Publications. They warned that repeated use of cybercrime, defamation, and conspiracy charges is creating a hostile environment for media practitioners.
Lawsuits filed by security Agencies against critics, including opposition figures, media organisations, and civil rights groups, were also cited as examples of growing misuse of state power.
The organisations called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive legislation to align them with International human rights standards, decriminalise defamation, and introduce safeguards to protect Journalists and activists from abusive litigation.
They also urged the International community to closely monitor Nigeria and hold authorities accountable for Press Freedom violations.
Senior Editors, Broadcasters, and Civil Society Leaders attended the Lagos event, pledging continued advocacy for media freedom and human rights.
The Federal Government has yet to respond to the latest call but previously defended the Cybercrimes Act as a tool to combat digital crime and misinformation, insisting it is not intended to target legitimate journalism.
