Rakiya A.Muhammad
The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed concern about the reported threats on the life of Premium Times Journalist Saviour Imukudo and urged the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed.
IPC made the call in a statement signed by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Lawal.
The centre quoted a Premium Times report: “A man who supervised a poorly executed federal project in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, threatened to kill a PREMIUM TIMES journalist over a report on the project.”
It added that the voice in the background said: “Look at you, look at six feet. Don’t worry. Thank God, I know your name now. Somebody is telling you to go and die, and you are following the person.”
IPC expressed worry about Journalist Saviour Imukudo and appealed to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his safety.
It stressed it was time to stop attacks on journalists and other media professionals in Nigeria so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalism practice.
IPC urged anyone aggrieved over media reports to seek redress through legal channels instead of resorting to extra-judicial self-help.
