The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it described as a “reckless and violent” remark allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against a Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.
In a statement issued on Sunday, and signed by the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the union expressed shock and outrage over the minister’s statement, in which he reportedly said, “If there’s anyway to broke the screen, I would have shot him.”
The NUJ said the comment constitutes a direct threat capable of intimidating journalists and undermining press freedom in Nigeria.
The union noted that it had initially delayed responding, expecting the minister to retract the statement and offer an apology. However, it said the absence of any such move suggests the comment may have been deliberate, raising deeper concerns about the safety of journalists.
According to the NUJ, such remarks from a high-ranking public official could create a climate of fear for media practitioners, discouraging critical reporting and weakening democratic princprinciple.
Clockwisereports reports that the union, therefore, demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the minister, while also calling on the Federal Government to condemn the statement and demonstrate its commitment to protecting journalists and upholding media independence.
It further urged media organisations, civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates to stand in solidarity against what it described as an attack on press freedom, stressing that the safety and security of journalists remain essential to a thriving democracy.