The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the alleged intimidation and harassment of journalist Fisayo Soyombo and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

In a statement released on Friday, March 29, via the organization’s official X handle, SERAP demanded an immediate end to the harassment of Soyombo and Bukky Shonibare, a member of FIJ’s Board of Trustees. The organization threatened legal action if the situation persists.

SERAP urged President Tinubu to “immediately direct the Inspector-General of Police to stop harassing and intimidating journalist ‘Fisayo Soyombo simply for doing his job,” stating that the police have reportedly declared him wanted, apparently to silence him.

The organization emphasized that authorities must allow Soyombo and his group to carry out their legitimate work without interference. “We’ll take appropriate legal action if the threat, harassment, and intimidation of ‘Fisayo Soyombo and Bukky Shonibare are not immediately stopped,” SERAP warned.

The situation began on Tuesday, March 26, when FIJ reported that Shonibare had been invited by the police for questioning on issues related to cybercrime. The invitation was believed to be connected to an investigation into the role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in smuggling activities within the country.

By Friday, Shonibare had visited the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and was interrogated about FIJ’s operations. Although she was allowed to return home after making a statement, she was asked to return to the police with Soyombo.

FIJ had previously published a report alleging that smugglers could bring various goods into Nigeria as long as they bribed Customs officials. The report claimed that NCS officials only publish the names of smugglers who refuse to bribe them.

The harassment of journalists by state actors in Nigeria is a growing concern, with at least 39 journalists reported to have been harassed by state and non-state actors in 2023 alone.

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