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January 31, 2026 – Nigeria –
A media freedom watchdog in Nigeria, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), documented 86 separate attacks on journalists, media workers, and citizens reporting news in 2025, highlighting a troubling environment for free expression and the safety of media practitioners. The incidents occurred across multiple states and involved physical violence, intimidation, unlawful detention, and hostile actions against both accredited journalists and civilians acting as citizen reporters.
In its annual review released at the end of January 2026, the MRA emphasised that the reported incidents reflect a continuing climate of impunity, where perpetrators of violence against media professionals frequently go unpunished. The tally included documented cases of assault during protests, hostility from security personnel, and threats from non-state actors such as organised mobs and political affiliates, all suggesting systemic weaknesses in protecting press freedom.
According to the report, several journalists were physically attacked while performing routine reporting, including covering civic demonstrations, political events, and local government affairs. These assaults sometimes resulted in injuries requiring medical attention. In other cases, journalists faced obstruction in the form of equipment damage, arbitrary arrest, or threats that constrained their ability to work independently and without fear of retaliation.
The MRA noted that citizen journalists and ordinary citizens who recorded and shared information on social media were also targeted, reflecting a broader pattern where individuals documenting public events or questioning authority became victims of violence or intimidation. This trend, the organisation argued, underscores how informal and digital forms of journalism are increasingly vulnerable in contexts where law enforcement and political actors fail to uphold protections for free speech.
In its analysis, the MRA lamented that security forces disproportionately contributed to abuse cases, with several documented incidents involving officers using excessive force or detaining journalists without clear legal justification. The report also cited attacks involving political supporters, vigilante groups, and unidentified assailants, further emphasising the diversity of threats media workers face.
The organisation urged the Nigerian government, law enforcement agencies, and judicial authorities to take decisive action to investigate and prosecute attacks against media workers. MRA Secretary-General Emeka Mamah warned that without accountability and clear legal protections, the pattern of aggression and threats against journalists would likely persist, undermining both press freedom and democratic governance.
Civil society groups and press advocates have echoed the MRA’s concerns, calling for strengthened enforcement of existing laws, improved training for security agencies on media rights, and the establishment of independent mechanisms to monitor and address violations against journalists and citizens reporting public affairs.
The MRA’s findings contribute to ongoing debates about media freedom in Nigeria, where journalists have long faced legal, political, and physical challenges in carrying out their work. The 2025 figures highlight both the scale of the issue and the urgent need for systemic reforms to safeguard journalists and uphold the public’s right to information.
Reference –
MRA records 86 attacks on journalists, citizens in 2025 free expression review
