The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed appreciation for the Department of State Services (DSS) following the swift release of Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, journalists with Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, who were detained after covering the funeral of the late mother of APC national chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe in Plateau State. Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, National President of the NUJ, welcomed the development in a statement, highlighting the journalists’ arrest stemmed from posting a video report showing a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives.
“The two journalists were detained following the posting of a video report on social media showing a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives at the funeral. Their arrest caused deep concern within the journalism community, as it represented an infringement on press freedom and the right of journalists to perform their lawful duties,” Abdullahi noted.
Abdullahi commended DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi’s intervention, saying, “We are, however, encouraged by the decisive intervention of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who ordered their immediate release, personally reached out to the NUJ to convey his apologies, and reiterated his directive to DSS operatives to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests.” According to Abdullahi, this signals “a positive and commendable shift in the culture of our security institutions”.
“The willingness of the DSS leadership to admit errors, apologise where necessary, and commit to reforms is an important step in strengthening public trust and confidence in the agency,” Abdullahi stated. He urged the DSS to sustain this approach, stressing, “Press freedom is the bedrock of democracy, and journalists must never be treated as adversaries for performing their constitutional duties”.
The NUJ called for accountability within security agencies, urging sanction for officers undermining democratic values. “While we commend this positive development, we call on the DSS and all security agencies to institutionalise accountability by sanctioning officers whose actions undermine democratic values and constitutional rights,” Abdullahi said. Affirming NUJ’s stance, he added, “The NUJ remains committed to constructive engagement with security institutions to strengthen mutual understanding, promote professionalism, and safeguard both press freedom and national security”. Abdullahi concluded urging journalists nationwide to “remain vigilant, courageous, and professional in the discharge of their duties”.
