The International Press Centre (IPC) has made an appeal to national, regional, and international media freedom groups, to unite in ensuring the safety and security of Rukayyah Jibia – a Katsina-based journalist whose life is reportedly in danger.
Rukayyah Jibia works with Tambarin Hausa Television in Katsina State. According to IPC, she is presently in hiding due to threats on her life.
The group expressed concern over the alleged threats to the life of the journalist by Gambo Isah, the Katsina State Police Command Public Relations Officer. In a statement signed by IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, the group urged human rights bodies and freedom of expression organizations to join in the clamour for Jibia’s safety.
IPC also called on the Nigerian government and security agencies to guarantee her safety and ensure that she is unharmed in any way.The group advocated for an end to the harassment and wrongful arrest of journalists across Nigeria.
According to the statement: “IPC is deeply worried about the situation of journalist Rukayyah Jibia, and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that she is not harmed in any way.
“IPC enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the alleged action by the journalist to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.
“IPC, therefore, appeals to other national, regional, and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organizations, and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for her safety, as she is currently hiding because her life is in danger.”
