The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, has condemned what he described as “damning threats and intimidation” allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against journalists in the country.
Abdullahi made the condemnation on Monday in a statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said journalists under the NUJ expressed outrage over the minister’s alleged remarks against Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.
According to him, the comment attributed to the minister—“if there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him”—amounts to an unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby undermining press freedom and democratic principles in Nigeria.
“The Minister’s egregious threat constitutes a direct and unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby undermining press freedom and the foundational principles of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the union had initially delayed issuing a formal response, hoping the minister would retract the statement and show remorse. However, he said the absence of any apology or clarification suggests the remark was intentional.
“This calculated silence deepens our concern and reinforces the perception that the threat was intentional,” he added.
He warned that such comments from public officials create a climate of fear for journalists performing their duties, stressing that it sends a dangerous message that critical reporting may attract hostility or violence.
The NUJ president therefore demanded an immediate and unconditional apology from Wike, and called on the Federal Government to publicly condemn the incident.
He urged government authorities to take concrete steps to guarantee journalists’ safety and ensure they operate without fear of reprisal.
Abdullahi also called on media organisations, civil society groups, and democracy advocates to stand in solidarity against what he described as an attack on press freedom.
“The safety and security of journalists are paramount to a healthy democracy, and any attempt to stifle their voices must be met with a unified and resolute response,” he said.
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