13 Nigerian journalists killed in 2012

by Soji Lawal

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba, on Thursday disclosed that 13 Nigerian journalists were killed last year.

Garba said that the journalists lost their lives covering assignments. He said that the number was the highest recorded in the history of Nigeria since independence in 1960.

“We have an authentic data that 13 journalists were killed nationwide last year, the highest in the history of the country since independence in 1960,” Garba stated.

The International Federation of Journalists had similarly, announced that 121 journalists were killed worldwide in 2012.

Describing the situation as “unfortunate and sad”, Garba reiterated the need to intensify the provision of security and safety for journalists. “Media organisations should endeavour to provide a good insurance policy that would cover the lives of journalists.

“Also all journalists covering strategic areas such as Government Houses should be insured by the government,” he said.

Garba condemned the abuse and harassment meted to media men in the course of their duties. He urged security agents, politicians and the populace to respect journalists in the course of doing their duties.

Some of the journalists killed in 2012 include Enenche Akogwu of Channels Television, Zakariya Isa of the Nigerian Television Authority, Abubakar Sadiq of Daily Trust and Kazeem Ibrahim of the Nation Newspapers.

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