Nigeria

(IJC/IFEX) – On 11 September 1997, a journalist with the “Daily Sketch” newspaper, Segun Olatunji, was abducted by operatives of Operation Sweep, a government anti-crime outfit, in the Pedro area of Lagos mainland. Olatunji, who was returning from the weekly press briefing of the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, was abducted around 1:55 pm. […]

Okina Deesor, a producer with Radio Rivers in Rivers state, was arrested on 31 July 1996 and detained at the Government House Cell, reportedly without being provided food or water. On 3 August, he was transferred to the Mobile Police Cell. According to Major Obi Umabi, who ordered the arrest, Deesor’s detention is in connection […]

Two editors of the opposition weekly magazine “The News,” Bayo Onanuga and Babafemi Ojudu, have been arrested by Nigerian security authorities. Citing the Constitutional Rights Project, a Lagos-based human rights group, Reuters said Onanuga and Ojudu had been detained since 11 August 1996 over an article about Oil Minister Dan Etete entitled “The Man Abacha […]

On 4 July 1996, IPI expressed concerned at measures taken against Hassan Anwar, the designated correspondent in Nigeria for the Middle East News Agency (MENA). Anwar had reportedly received an official entry visa from the Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, after presenting documents designating him as the MENA correspondent in Abuja, Nigeria. Upon his arrival […]

**Updates IFEX alert dated 6 October 1995** On 14 June 1996, writer and documentary film-maker Mohammed Sule was released from detention. However, he continues to have restrictions placed on his movements.

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 19 March, 12, 3 January 1996; 29 and 27 December 1995** On 24 June 1996, “Tell” magazine editor-in-chief Nosa Igiebor was released from incommunicado detention. News of his release, as well as that of six other Nigerian political detainees, coincided with the second day of talks in London between Nigeria and […]

On 28 May 1996, Alphonsus Agborh, a reporter for the independent daily “Punch”, was arrested by police at the newspaper’s offices in Port Harcourt. Although no official reason was given for the arrest, it appears to be linked to the publication of an article in the 26 May edition of “Punch” about the importation of […]

On 10 May 1996, George Onah, the defence correspondent for the independent newspaper “Vanguard”, was arrested for an article he wrote about the reshuffling of military personnel. He was released later that same day, but re-arrested on 15 May. He is being ordered to reveal his sources. Currently, Onah is being held incommunicado. Recommended Action […]

The following is a letter ARTICLE 19 is sending to Nigeria, with copies to the United Nations, the European Union, Commonwealth leaders and the Organisation of African Unity, among others, to mark the anniversary on 12 June of the annulled elections in Nigeria. ARTICLE 19 encourages others to copy, adapt or modify this letter in […]

In early March 1996, Jude Sinnee, a newspaper vendor in Bori, an Ogoni settlement in Rivers State, was arrested at his newsstand by armed agents of the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force. The agents, led by a Major Obi, also confiscated 500 copies of various publications, including 100 copies of the daily newspaper “National […]

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 31 July, 7 June, 5 May, 21 April, 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February, 20, 11 January 1995** According to reports from Rivers State, Nigeria, Ken Saro-Wiwa’s publishing office in Port Harcourt was broken into in late July 1995. His books and the manuscripts of several other writers are […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 7 June, 5 May, 21 April, 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February, 20, 11 January 1995** The trial of jailed writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, adjourned on 6 July 1995, was scheduled to resume on 31 July 1995 despite the fact that Ken Saro-Wiwa may not have adequate legal defense. […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 17 July and 26 June 1995; for background, see alerts of 11 July, 26, 22 May 1995** (updates IFEX alerts dated 17, 11 July, 26 June, 26, 22 May): CPJ confirms that life imprisonment sentences were given to Chris Anyanwu (f), editor-in-chief of “The Sunday Magazine” (“TSM”), and Ben Charles Obi, […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 14, 6 December, 19 October 1994 and others** On 9 June 1995, the military government of Nigeria, for the second time in a row, extended the ban on the Punch and Concord independent newspaper groups for another six months as of 10 June. On 14 February, the ban on the Guardian […]

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February 1995 and others** There are deep concerns for the health of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa after recent reports that he has not been able to attend his tribunal on at least two occasions in the last month due to ill-health and that the […]

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 17, 8 and 6 February 1995** Ken Saro-Wiwa’s lawyers report that they were attacked in court after the case against him resumed on 21 February 1995. They say the court was surrounded by military personnel who were screening people who entered the court. They reportedly refused to permit journalists from […]