The Tinubu administration is under intense scrutiny following reports of an alleged assault on a Channels Television crew at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja). The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has sparked national outrage, with calls for an immediate investigation into the actions of security operatives involved.
The Channels TV team, who were covering a protest at the university, were detained by security personnel for over an hour, subjected to physical violence, and their equipment and vehicle vandalized. The crew had been filming a demonstration by university professors protesting the controversial selection process for the new Vice-Chancellor.
The alleged assault has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria, a country that has seen an uptick in attacks on media workers. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), along with various civil society groups, has condemned the incident, demanding swift and decisive action from both President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
In a statement released shortly after the attack, SERAP expressed its grave concern over the attack and called for justice for the affected journalists. “We urge the Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate this attack on the media, identify those responsible, and hold them accountable,” the statement read. “Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of violence or retaliation. The authorities must ensure that the crew members receive justice, and that their damaged equipment and vehicle are properly compensated.”
The protest at UniAbuja was organized by members of the university’s academic staff, who voiced concerns over the transparency and fairness of the process used to select the new Vice-Chancellor. The demonstration, which was peaceful, was disrupted by a heavy presence of security personnel. The Channels TV crew, who had been covering the protest, were reportedly singled out and assaulted after they began recording the events.
A source within the university community, who wished to remain anonymous, told our reporter that security forces appeared to target the journalists, accusing them of filming without permission. “It was clear that the crew wasn’t involved in any violent activities. They were just doing their job, yet they were treated as if they were part of the protest,” the source said.
In an exclusive interview with Channels TV, the affected journalists recounted their harrowing experience. One of the crew members, who asked to be identified only as Ahmed, said: “We were detained for over an hour, and during that time, they assaulted us. My colleagues were punched, and our equipment was destroyed. It was like they didn’t want anyone to document what was happening at the protest.”
Another crew member, who was visibly shaken, recounted how their vehicle was damaged. “They kicked in the windows of our van and took our cameras. It was a frightening experience. We’ve been covering protests for years, but this is the first time we’ve faced such violence.”
The incident has ignited a public debate about the safety of journalists in Nigeria, with many critics accusing the government of failing to protect media workers. “This is not just an attack on the journalists; it’s an attack on press freedom itself,” said Dr. Chidi Amadi, a media rights activist. “Journalists play a crucial role in holding the government accountable, and when they are targeted for doing their jobs, it undermines democracy.”
SERAP has warned that failure to investigate the incident could result in legal action. “If the government does not act swiftly to ensure justice is served, we will take this matter to court,” the group said, stressing that the assault violated both national and international laws safeguarding freedom of expression and the press.
The attack on the Channels TV crew also raises alarms about Nigeria’s compliance with international human rights standards. Section 39 of Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the press, while international agreements, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, obligate the Nigerian government to protect these freedoms.
Experts warn that Nigeria’s international reputation could suffer if the incident is not addressed promptly. “The world is watching. A failure to protect journalists will send a dangerous message to both local and international observers,” said lawyer and human rights advocate, Ngozi Okoye.
The Tinubu administration has faced mounting criticism for its handling of various issues concerning human rights, including the treatment of journalists and media freedom. The government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the assault, but sources within the administration have indicated that President Tinubu is aware of the situation.
