Tinubu Government Accused of Crackdown on Journalists in Two Year Report

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has raised alarm over what it calls a rising wave of harassment and attacks on journalists under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a new mid-term report released on Monday, the group documented 141 violations of press freedom and freedom of expression between May 2023 and May 2025.

The report, titled The Onslaught Intensifies, points to a pattern of abuse mostly carried out by Nigerian security agencies. According to MRA, 61 of the cases were linked to police officers, while the Department of State Services (DSS) was behind seven. The organisation said the Tinubu government is legally responsible for the actions of its agents, citing African human rights standards that hold governments accountable for violations committed by state security forces.

Much of the crackdown, MRA said, is being carried out using the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act — especially Section 24, which has been repeatedly used to arrest and detain journalists and critics for online posts. The report mentioned specific examples, including the arrest of Emmanuel Uti of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Edo-based blogger Destiny Ekhorutomuen, and journalists from Informant247 in Kwara State. It also noted that many of these victims were denied bail or kept in custody for long periods.

The international community has started to take notice. In June 2025, ambassadors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Finland issued a rare joint statement condemning Nigeria’s misuse of the Cybercrime Act. They urged the Tinubu administration to reform the law and stop using it to silence the press.

MRA said the pattern of repression is not limited to online critics. It also includes physical attacks on journalists covering peaceful protests, arrests without cause, damage to equipment, and lack of punishment for perpetrators. The group added that some protesters, including minors, were charged with treason — a crime that carries the death penalty — simply for expressing dissent.

The group criticised the President for overseeing an administration that is now accused of violating the very rights he once fought to protect. Tinubu, once known for his support of democracy and ownership of several media platforms, now leads a government that MRA says is becoming known for censorship, intimidation, and media control.

The organisation called on the media, civil society, lawmakers, judiciary, and international partners to speak out and push for immediate reforms. MRA said restoring media freedom and protecting free speech are crucial for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.