The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly denounced the Nigerian Police for molesting journalists at Eagle Square during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the Commission's Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, described the act as a clear violation of their fundamental human rights and an attempt to suppress press freedom.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized that journalists have the constitutional right to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment. He lamented the molestation of several journalists, including Jide Oyekunle, Yakubu Mohammed, Mary Adeboye, and Kayode Jaiyeola, stating that they did not deserve such treatment.
The NHRC called on the Nigerian Police to respect the rights of journalists and protesters, aligning their actions with international human rights standards. Dr. Ojukwu demanded that the Inspector General of Police investigate the incident, hold perpetrators accountable, and report back to the Commission within 10 days.