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Security agencies behind most attacks on journalists in Nigeria — MRA report
Security forces and government officials are responsible for most of the attacks, harassment, and intimidation faced by journalists in Nigeria, according to a new report by Media Rights Agenda (MRA).
The 129-page report, titled “When Protectors Become Predators: The State against Freedom of Expression in Nigeria,” was released on Monday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. It covers violations recorded between January 1 and October 31, 2025.
MRA reports that government actors are responsible for almost 74% of all recorded abuses against journalists during this time. The Nigeria Police Force, which represents 45% of the incidences involved, was the single-largest perpetrator of violations of media rights.
Other offenders mentioned in the report include the Department of State Services (DSS); the military; paramilitary agencies; and elected officials at the federal and state level.
MRA reported at least 69 incidents involving journalists carrying out their work that included arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, physical assaults, threats to life, raids on journalists’ offices, kidnappings, and other intimidation tactics.
“The report shows that journalists in Nigeria are increasingly under siege, not just from criminals and insurgents, but from the very state institutions meant to protect them,” said Ayode Longe, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director.
He described the trend as “a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law,” warning that it contradicts Nigeria’s constitutional and international commitments to protect press freedom and the public’s right to information.
Additionally the report stated, that the lack of investigation or prosecution of offenders has created an unspoken policy of impunity, broken trust in the institutions of governance, and led to self-censorship amongst journalists. MRA reminded the authorities that the protection of journalists is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organization urged the Federal government to hold violators accountable, reform security and law enforcement agencies, and to cease the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrime Act to attack the press.
It also urged the National Assembly to pass a law that criminalises attacks on journalists and asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to curb the abuse of court processes used to intimidate media professionals.
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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.
Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.
The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.
The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.
During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos
Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.
According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.
He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.
“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.
The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said
The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.
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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion
A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.
The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.
“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.
The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.
The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.
Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.
A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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