Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to establish a national policy framework dedicated to the safety and protection of journalists, in line with the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists. The call is contained in MRA’s 2025 annual report on freedom of expression, titled The Reign of Impunity, which documents 86 incidents of attacks against journalists, media organisations and citizens across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement signed by MRA’s Communications Officer, Idowu Adewale, the organisation urged the government to issue clear directives to security agencies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and other attacks on journalists carrying out their professional duties, as well as on citizens expressing themselves peacefully, particularly online.
According to the report, arrests and detentions were the most common form of violation, with 38 cases accounting for over 44 per cent of incidents recorded. Physical assaults followed with 21 cases. The report also documented two killings, one kidnapping and the shutdown of a media outlet.
The Nigeria Police Force was identified as the leading alleged perpetrator, linked to 41 incidents, while the Department of State Services accounted for about seven per cent. Lagos and Abuja recorded the highest number of reported cases. MRA noted emerging trends, including the alleged misuse of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists and critics, as well as increased digital surveillance.
The organisation urged authorities to investigate all reported attacks transparently and make the outcomes public, warning that impunity remains a major threat to media freedom in Nigeria.
