By Sam Kayode
Jfm radio reporters taken into custody by overzealous state operatives have been released from detention.
A statement signed by the managing director of the agency Clinton Garuba stated that the two reporters were allowed to go home.
In a statement released this morning by the jos based radio station, it noted that “further to our earlier statement regarding the arrest of our staff, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, who were assigned to cover the burial rites of the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, at the COCIN headquarters Church, we wish to inform you that they have been released.”
It went further to state that ” upon confirming that the DSS was holding them, frantic efforts were made to secure their release.
“Although our efforts were initially rebuffed, they were eventually released.
“This event has once again prompted us to draw attention to the disturbing issues of press freedom violations, human rights abuses, and the erosion of the rule of law by security agencies.
“We want to reiterate that as professionals, our staff did what journalists are trained and ethically mandated to do: they documented an incident on video for public record and accountability.
“We call on the DSS to note that: Their actions in abducting and detaining them are illegal, undemocratic, and unacceptable.
“They represent a blatant violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and personal liberty as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international conventions to which our nation is a signatory.
” The press is not an enemy of the state.
Journalism is a public service profession. Our duty is to inform, educate, and hold power accountable, not to serve as mouthpieces of authority. To criminalise this duty is to criminalise truth itself.
“The DSS must act with civility and restraint.
We remind the agency that this nation is under civilian rule, not military dictatorship. Security agencies exist to protect citizens, not to intimidate or abduct them.
“Power must always be exercised within the bounds of the law and in accordance with respect for democratic norms.”
The statement further warned that this pattern of intimidation and repression must stop because it sends a chilling message to journalists that telling the truth may lead to persecution.
Such conduct the statement noted undermines the very fabric of democracy and fosters a climate of fear and impunity.
“We reaffirm that Jay 101.9 FM will not be intimidated or silenced. Our commitment to truth, objectivity, and the democratic ideal remains unwavering.
“To those who wield power, we remind you that the freedom of the press is the lifeblood of democracy. When journalists are silenced, democracy dies in darkness.
“We call on all citizens, the media fraternity, and the international community to stand in solidarity with us in demanding respect for the rule of law, freedom of the press, and for journalists to carry out their statutory duties without fear or hindrance, as well as respect for human rights.” The statement noted
