The International Press Centre Lagos (IPC), has condemned the alleged security surveillance of the Editor-in-chief of Premium Times, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed and the paper’s reporter, Samuel Ogundipe.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Centre’s Communications Officer, Olutoyin Ayoade, noted that “IPC is disconcerted by reports of security surveillance of Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed and Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe.”
In the statement, IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, noted that “the reported incidents represent fresh onslaught on press freedom in Nigeria and aggravated assault on the right of journalists to practice freely without fear.”
The statement recalled that a Premium Times publication disclosed that both journalists were trailed by suspected state security service (SSS) officials.
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The SSS agents who visited Mr. Mojeed’s home attempted to gain entrance into his residence, but were unsuccessful.
The operatives were also reported to have monitored Mr. Ogundipe’s residence and drove off.
The security surveillance were linked to Ogundipe’s recent publication on the rift between the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari.
In the aftermath of the story, Samuel Ogundipe’s internet identity and domain were also said to have been hacked while he has been receiving calls from strange numbers to confirm his identity.
Arogundade, in the statement called on the Presidency to prevail on the DSS to immediately stop its attacks on Premium Times, noting that “Journalists who seek to provide information to the public to promote accountability should never be subjected to any form of harassment.”
