NUJ Reacts As Journalists Arrested By DSS At APC Chair’s Mum’s Funeral Regain Freedom

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commended the punctual merchandise of its members, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang of Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, Plateau State, from detention aft their apprehension portion covering the ceremonial of the precocious parent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) nationalist chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe.

Recall that the 2 journalists were detained pursuing the posting of a video study connected societal media showing a confrontation betwixt a cleric and information operatives astatine the ceremonial attended by President Bola Tinubu and different high-profile governmental officeholders.

Their apprehension caused heavy interest wrong the journalism community, arsenic it represented an infringement connected property state and the close of journalists to execute their lawful duties.

National president of NUJ, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, who made the commendation successful a connection besides said, “We are, however, encouraged by the decisive involution of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who ordered their contiguous release, personally reached retired to the NUJ to convey his apologies, and reiterated his directive to DSS operatives to behaviour thorough investigations earlier making arrests.”

He further said, “This motion reflects a affirmative and commendable displacement successful the civilization of our information institutions. The willingness of the DSS enactment to admit errors, apologise wherever necessary, and perpetrate to reforms is an important measurement successful strengthening nationalist spot and assurance successful the agency.

“The NUJ urges the DSS to prolong this caller attack and guarantee that the rights of journalists and different citizens are afloat respected astatine each times. Press state is the bedrock of democracy, and journalists indispensable ne'er beryllium treated arsenic adversaries for performing their law duties.

“While we commend this affirmative development, we telephone connected the DSS and each information agencies to institutionalise accountability by sanctioning officers whose actions undermine antiauthoritarian values and law rights. Only by enforcing subject wrong the ranks tin specified advancement beryllium consolidated.

“On our part, the NUJ remains committed to constructive engagement with information institutions to fortify communal understanding, beforehand professionalism, and safeguard some property state and nationalist security.

“We impulse our members crossed the state to stay vigilant, courageous, and nonrecreational successful the discharge of their duties.”