The media in Enugu, Nigeria, is reportedly facing a return to dark days of dictatorial intimidation as Governor Peter Mbah is allegedly implementing a program of indiscriminate arrest and intimidation of journalists. The governor is said to be collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force in this effort. One journalist, Mike Ilediagu, the publisher of News Centre, was arrested and detained by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Enugu State Police Command. Ilediagu’s arrest followed the publication of a news item about the attacks on residents in Enugu communities by hoodlums enforcing an illegal sit-at-home order imposed by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Although Ilediagu took down the story upon learning of his impending arrest, he was still detained by the police, who cited “orders from above.” Governor Mbah had recently banned the sit-at-home order and threatened to shut down markets that refused to open on Mondays. However, the Simon Ekpa faction of IPOB imposed a seven-day sit-at-home in defiance of the governor’s order. This has led to confrontations between authorities and faceless IPOB members, resulting in violence in parts of the state.
Ilediagu’s release was secured through the intervention of the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), but fear and panic have gripped journalists in Enugu. There are reports of the governor’s alleged attempt to exercise control over news items published in the state, requiring his approval before publication. Journalists are cautious and are calling for the verification of stories before reporting them.
Some journalists expressed their frustration with the government’s dismissal of news as fake unless it originates from their camp. There are concerns over the intimidation of the media in the state, with journalists being urged to be careful in their reporting. However, there are divisions among journalists, with some defending their colleague and condemning the actions of the government, while others appear to have aligned with the government’s position.
The situation remains tense as journalists in Enugu tread carefully in reporting on their colleague’s arrest, fearing further repercussions. The incident has raised concerns about press freedom and media independence in the state.
