Nigeria Recorded 1,326 Press Freedom Violations, 28 Journalists Killed In Nine Years — CJID

Abuja, Nigeria– Nigeria has recorded no fewer than 1,326 press freedom violations and 28 journalist deaths within nine years, highlighting the worsening dangers faced by media practitioners across the country.

This was disclosed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, who revealed that the figures were obtained from the organisation’s Press Attack Tracker (PAT).

According to CJID, the PAT platform was launched in 2017 as a civic technology initiative designed to monitor, document and track attacks against journalists, media workers and independent news organisations in Nigeria.

The organisation said the tracker has since documented several forms of attacks and rights violations targeted at journalists, including killings, physical assaults, harassment, cyberbullying, unlawful arrests, detention, kidnapping, seizure and destruction of equipment, denial of access to information, sanctions and Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP).

CJID explained that the data was compiled through verified reports received from newsroom networks, journalists and direct submissions from affected individuals and organisations.

The group added that the documented cases are publicly accessible and intended to strengthen accountability, support advocacy efforts and shape policy interventions aimed at improving media independence and journalist safety in Nigeria.

Babatunde warned that the persistent pattern of attacks over the years reflects deep-rooted threats to press freedom in the country.

He stressed the need for stronger legal protections for journalists and greater accountability for individuals and institutions responsible for attacks on media practitioners.