General
SERAP, Editors Urge FG, Governors to Protect Journalists in Northern Nigeria
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the federal government, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to protect journalists and urgently address worsening insecurity and human rights violations across several parts of northern Nigeria, including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto States.
The call followed a conference and interactive session on The Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, jointly organised by SERAP and NGE to mark World Press Freedom Day.
In a joint statement, the groups said “protecting journalists and safeguarding information integrity are central drivers of peace, security, and democratic stability.”
They added that “any credible peace, recovery, or security strategy in Nigeria must integrate support for free, independent, and pluralistic media alongside humanitarian, institutional, and economic responses.”
They expressed “serious concerns about the scale and persistence of killings, abductions, sexual violence, forced displacement, and destruction of property across several parts of northern Nigeria,” noting that “thousands have reportedly been killed and millions displaced, with rural communities repeatedly targeted and women and children bearing the brunt of the violence and insecurity.”
SERAP and NGE warned that “the humanitarian consequences remain severe: communities destroyed, livelihoods lost, and victims left without effective remedies,” stressing that “the persistence of impunity continues to erode public trust and weaken democratic governance.”
The two organisations stated that Nigerian authorities at all levels have binding constitutional and international obligations to protect journalists and end insecurity and impunity, adding that the Tinubu administration, state governors, and the FCT minister must exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, and remedy human rights violations, while ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators and their sponsors.
They noted that UNESCO’s theme for the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Conference, “Shaping a Future of Peace,” underscores “the centrality of a free, independent, and viable media ecosystem to peace, security, and sustainable development.”
The groups warned that “the erosion of independent journalism and civic information ecosystems directly contributes to governance breakdown,” adding that when journalists are targeted, “corruption thrives, accountability declines, and misinformation spreads,” while “information violence often precedes physical violence, deepening insecurity and undermining public trust in state institutions.”
They stressed that “protecting journalists in Nigeria is therefore not a peripheral issue but a core requirement for addressing insecurity and advancing democratic governance,” calling on the federal government, state authorities, and the FCT minister to guarantee press freedom and expression, protect civic space and journalists, promote victim-centred ethical reporting, and publicly recognise killings, abductions, and destruction of property as grave human rights violations that cannot be justified.
The groups also called for the creation of public reporting systems to track incidents and responses, and for all institutions to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil human rights, while urging Nigeria to invite relevant UN Special Rapporteurs and African Commission Special Rapporteurs to conduct independent fact-finding missions on insecurity and human rights violations in northern Nigeria, whose findings should guide accountability and reforms.
They further urged the National Assembly to exercise its oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution by convening an urgent public hearing on insecurity and attacks on journalists, including scrutiny of security agencies and the strengthening of legal safeguards for accountability and media freedom.
They also called on the international community to intensify pressure on Nigerian authorities to end insecurity and impunity, protect people, safeguard civic space, and ensure that media organisations operate freely without fear of reprisals.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An announcement by the administration of Mr Donald Trump on May 22 regarding Green Card applications has continued to ruffle feathers among immigrants.
In the new memo issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), foreign nationals seeking to adjust their immigration status to permanent residence (Green Card) have been asked to apply through consular processing at a US embassy or consulate in their home country, rather than adjusting status while present in America.
Commenting on this latest stance, a foremost immigration attorney, Mr Ope Banwo, said this development could expose many Green Card applicants to severe re-entry penalties if not properly managed, stressing that this carries major legal implications for many immigrants already residing in America.
He noted that the policy may impact not only undocumented immigrants, but also individuals currently living legally in the United States on temporary visas such as H1B workers, F1 students, B1/B2 visitors, exchange visitors, and other non-immigrant visa categories.
“For years, Adjustment of Status allowed many immigrants to avoid the risks associated with departing the United States after overstaying visas,” Mr Banwo stated.
“The danger now is that some immigrants may unknowingly trigger automatic three-year or ten-year re-entry bans once they leave the U.S. for overseas visa processing,” he added.
Mr Banwo explained that many immigrants are unaware that unlawful presence accumulated in the United States can activate harsh immigration penalties immediately upon departure from the country, stating that marriage-based Green Card applicants, employment-based immigrants, temporary workers transitioning to residency, and visa overstays could all face serious complications under the evolving policy framework.
Despite the growing concerns, he urged immigrants not to panic, stressing that informed legal guidance remains the key to navigating the changing immigration landscape successfully.
He also cautioned against depending on social media speculation, “TikTok lawyers,” or unverified online immigration advice when making critical decisions.
According to him, Banwo Law, accessible through SpeakWithOpe.com, is already assisting potentially affected immigrants nationwide by reviewing immigration histories, assessing waiver eligibility, and developing strategic legal solutions tailored to individual situations.
The law firm is also helping clients determine whether they may still qualify for Adjustment of Status inside the United States and advising them on safer legal alternatives where necessary.
Mr Banwo stressed that immigrants should seek experienced legal counsel before travelling outside the United States or taking immigration steps that may affect their ability to return or obtain lawful permanent residency.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to immediately disclose the identities of all entities that benefited from the payments under the National Public Security Communication System project in Abuja, commonly referred to as the $460 million Abuja CCTV Project.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, in response to SERAP’s contempt proceedings, had recently disclosed that: “Records from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicate that while local subcontractors may have been engaged, there is an absence of detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan.”
The Ministry made the disclosure in a letter dated May 15, 2026, signed by its Permanent Secretary, R. O. Omachi.
Responding, SERAP, in a letter dated May 23, 2026, signed by its deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, said: “We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released some information after we commenced contempt proceedings and served a Notice to Show Cause in January 2026.”
According to SERAP, “Nigerians still do not know exactly the names of local contractors for the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about record keeping, transparency and accountability, and whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.”
On May 15, 2023, the Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the status of the project’s implementation, and details relating to the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
SERAP said, “The details provided amount to only partial compliance with Justice Emeka Nwite’s judgment. Key questions remain unanswered, and further clarification is needed to ensure full and effective compliance with the judgment.”
The organisation noted that while it appreciates the steps taken by the Ministry to provide some information concerning the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding arrangements, and certain records on equipment deliveries connected with the project, there is still no explanation regarding the missing 6,035 items as part of the status of implementation of the project.
“It remains unclear whether the items were subsequently delivered, whether payment was made for them, whether the contractor defaulted, whether Nigeria suffered any financial loss, and whether any steps were taken to recover public funds.
“The Ministry lists items reportedly delivered in 2013. However, it has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, if any; where they were installed; whether the cameras are currently operational; and whether the project delivered value for money.
“For a project financed through public borrowing—debt Nigerians continue to repay—full transparency over all beneficiaries, foreign and domestic, is essential. Nigerians have the right to know how public funds were spent, who received them, and what was delivered in return,” the group said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has confirmed that a collision between vessels in the Bonny Channel, Rivers State, led to oil pollution in the affected area.
The agency’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr Osagie Edward, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny received a distress call at about 11:30 a.m. regarding the collision.
He said the incident involved MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO Number 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker.
According to the statement, the Deep Blue Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel aboard the interceptor boat DB 214 to the scene.
The agency said five crew members aboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.
The spokesperson said the injured crew members were evacuated to the Forward Operating Base sickbay in Bonny for immediate medical treatment.
“Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel.
“MV Valparaiso also remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation,” Edward said.
He said the management of MAERSK had officially reported the incident to the agency.
Mr Edward said the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, had ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.
He added that NIMASA had established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate emergency response efforts and monitor developments from the incident.
Mr Mobereola had personally visited Rivers to inaugurate the monitoring room and oversee response operations in the state.
The Director-General also directed the agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to begin an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area immediately.
Mr Mobereola urged officials to take necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the Tier One oil sheen and safeguard the marine environment.
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