The President of the Federation of African Journalists, Malam Mohammed Garba, on Thursday demanded the unconditional release of Aljazeera reporters – Idris Ahmed and Ali Almustapha – held in Maiduguri, Borno State by the Nigerian Army.
Garba made the demand while addressing the journalists in Abuja.
He said the recent restriction of Ahmed and Almustapha of the Aljazeera Network in a Maiduguri hotel by the Nigerian Army had heightened concerns for the safety of journalists.
He said the Federation was conscious of the fact that the responsibility of all journalists in Africa was to monitor governance, adding that journalists also hold governments accountable to the masses.
He said that with this situation, journalists in Africa now live in fear of the unknown.
Furthermore, Garba noted that the journalists had contributed towards the success of the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
The FAJ president stressed the Federation’s commitment to a coordinated action to ensure the safety and security of journalists across Africa as enshrined in the November 2007 Abuja Declaration.
“Coordinating actions to improve the safety and security of journalists and work with international agencies and other stakeholders to confront impunity and build a culture of safety in journalists, we accordingly call on the Nigerian military to release these Aljazeera staff unconditionally and without any delay,” he said.
Garba said the Federation planned to hold a solidarity march at the Nigerian Embassies across Africa, demanding their release.
Also Speaking, Shuaibu Leman, the National Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, said the union also planned to stage a peaceful protest to the Defence Headquarters, demanding for their release.