The International Press Centre (IPC) says it is deeply worried about the safety of investigative journalist and editor of Next Edition, Ibanga Isine.

The IPC made this known after Isine, who has covered the conflicts in southern Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, said he had received threat messages over his reporting.

Gunmen, according to numerous media reports, killed over 200 people between January and June 2020 in communities in Kaura, Zangon Kataf, Kauru and Kajuru local government areas.

According to Isine, many of the sources linked to his investigations have reportedly died in controversial circumstances.

‘I have been investigating the southern Kaduna killings for months now, and I have just recently published the last part in a four-part series on the bloody attacks in the zone’, IPC quoted him as saying.

‘In the course of the investigation, two of my sources have been attacked, one was killed along with his son, three months after he said he was afraid for his life.

‘Another source escaped being killed and his neighbours paid dearly when the killers did not find him’.

The press freedom organisation, in a statement, urged the Nigerian government and security agencies to ensure the safety of the journalist.

‘IPC is deeply worried about the situation of Journalist Isine and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed in any way’, IPC Programme Officer, Melody Lawal, said.

‘IPC enjoins anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports 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 organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his safety.

‘IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks of journalists in Nigeria so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalists to practice’.

Source: IPC

Photo source: UN Climate Change