Battle Terrorists, Don’t Gag Media, Activist Tells Federal Govt

A human rights activist, Comrade Paul Ikechukwu Njoku, has berated the federal government over threats against some media outfits which recently released detailed documentaries where some notorious terror warlords were interviewed.

Government on Thursday, through the minister of information Lai Mohammed vowed to punish the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Daily Trust over what it described as an unprofessional airing of different documentaries that glorified terrorists capable of fueling terrorism in Nigeria.

But Njoku, in a statement, advised Lai Mohammed to prevail on the security agencies and the government to do the right thing rather than gagging the media.

“The Honourable Minister of Information has unfortunately taken to his usual vituperations and intimidation of the media by attempting to teach the BBC, African Eye and Trust TV media their ethical job. It is unacceptably sad that Lai Mohammed relishes gagging the media and incessantly transferring his failures and aggression to the innocent press.

“I, therefore, urge him to take the battle to the murderous terrorists and bandits than ceaselessly stifling the media same way he did during the #EndSars 2020 protest.

“He should be told that the media is universally protected by the international laws to dutifully cover war news, conduct interviews and run documentaries with any group of people or persons for public consumption and education.

“The federal government should protect and appreciate the BBC and Daily Trust for their courageous documentaries on bandit terror warlords.

“Lai Mohammed should be aware that even International Humanitarian Law protects journalists in armed – conflict situations,” he said.