SERAP Urges Tinubu to Order Probe into Alleged Assault on NTA Journalist in Niger State

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct an immediate investigation into the alleged assault on a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) by private security personnel linked to the office of Niger State Governor Umar Bago.

The request follows reports that Mr. Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with NTA News, was attacked on March 13 while covering a Ramadan Iftar event at the palace of the Etsu Nupe in Bida, Niger State. According to the reports, the assault was allegedly carried out by private security operatives acting on the instruction of Mr. Shehu Maikano, Chief Security Officer to the governor.

In a statement, SERAP urged the President to mandate the police to investigate the role of the state governor and ensure that no public official is above the law. The organisation further called for accountability for any official found to have ordered, condoned, or participated in the attack, and stressed the need for the journalist to have access to justice and adequate compensation.

SERAP condemned what it described as persistent violations of press freedom in Niger State, warning against continued intimidation of journalists. The organisation emphasized the critical role journalists play in informing the public and holding those in power accountable, describing the alleged intimidation as unacceptable and unlawful.

Citing constitutional provisions, SERAP noted that Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to receive and impart information without interference. The organisation also referenced Section 34, which protects the right to dignity of the human person and prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment.

SERAP further highlighted Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, stressing that states must protect journalists from attacks by third parties, including private individuals acting on the instruction of public officials.

The organisation warned that persistent impunity for attacks on journalists undermines democracy, weakens public trust, and emboldens further violations, adding that public officials have a legal and moral duty to uphold fundamental rights under the Constitution and international human rights law.