Bad governance protest: International Press Institute demands investigation, prosecution of security agents who fired live bullets at journalists

The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned in strong terms the deployment of excessive force against journalists covering the bad governance nationwide protests, recalling that on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, several journalists covering the protests were shot at

Penpushing reports that the Nigerian National Committee of Institute in a statement by Musikilu Mojeed(President) and Tobi Soniyi (Legal Adviser) said the shooting was perpetrated by security agents wearing hoods at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, adding that the journalists narrowly escaped unhurt, but bullets damaged one of their cars.

The statement said the shooting happened at the main entrance of the stadium, adding that the firing of what is suspected to be live ammunition is unacceptable and is strongly condemned, pointing out that the shooting appeared premeditated as the journalists were particularly targeted and shot twice within minutes.

Penpushing further reports that the statement stated that the security agencies knew where the journalists converged, explaining that many of them wore vests, with the word PRESS boldly written on them, and had cameras and drove vehicles with press written on them.

The world body of journalists pointed out that Saturday’s shooting was even more worrisome as it came a day after the Chief of Defence Staff said on live television that journalists should stop giving protesters publicity.

‘The IPI is hereby demanding an immediate investigation of the shooting incident at the stadium where journalists were targeted. The officers involved, reported to be personnel of the police and the State Security Service, should be identified and punished’, the statement said.

‘The media has a responsibility to cover the ongoing protests across the country, and journalists must be allowed to carry out their constitutionally mandated role without interference and intimidation by anyone’, it stated.

Penpushing reports that International Press Institute (IPI) said targeting and shooting at journalists carrying out their lawful duties is tantamount to taking a wild shot at democracy and it should be condemned by all.

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