By Milcah Tanimu

The recent spate of abductions and detentions of journalists in Nigeria has sparked concerns among media practitioners and observers, drawing comparisons to the dark days of military rule, particularly the regime of General Sani Abacha.

The abduction of Segun Olatunji, an editor at First News, and the detention of Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) have raised alarm bells within the media community. Olatunji was abducted by the military, while Ojukwu was seized by the police, both under circumstances reminiscent of Nigeria’s junta era.

Ojukwu’s case, in particular, has garnered attention as he remains in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, accused of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act. His ordeal has underscored the risks faced by journalists in the course of their work, with concerns raised about press freedom and safety.

The situation has drawn parallels to past instances of media suppression during the Abacha regime, where journalists faced intimidation, arrests, and even deaths. The memories of that era, marked by arbitrary detentions, secret trials, and censorship, continue to haunt the journalistic community.

Despite claims by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, that no journalist has been incarcerated under the current administration, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Journalists like Ojukwu find themselves caught in a web of legal complexities, with their fundamental rights at risk.

The use of the Cyber Crime Act as a basis for these arrests has been questioned by human rights advocates, who argue that the provisions of the law have been repealed and replaced with new ones that do not criminalize posts injurious to a person’s reputation. This discrepancy highlights the need for legal clarity and adherence to constitutional rights.

As media stakeholders condemn these attacks on press freedom, the echoes of Nigeria’s past resonate loudly. The commitment to upholding press freedom, reiterated by President Bola Tinubu, must translate into concrete action to safeguard the rights of journalists and ensure their safety in carrying out their vital role in society.