The Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the alleged targeted harassment faced by the Editor of Wikki Times Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed.
Mohammed was reportedly targeted by security operatives following his investigative report that exposed terrorism funding and illicit mining activities in Niger State.
In a statement signed by Deputy Director, Journalism Programme, Busola Ajibola, and made available to DAILY POST in Taraba, the Coalition claimed that the editor is being harassed alongside his wife, colleagues and friends.
The Coalition also urged the Federal Government to urgently address the issues raised in the investigative report.
“The Federal Government should urgently address the concerns in Mohammed’s investigative report, specifically pertaining to illegal mining activities and their potential links to terrorism financing,” the Coalition said.
The Coalition noted that it “is also particularly concerned about the unresolved killings of journalists in Nigeria particularly the death of Tordue Salem of the Vanguard newspaper whose body was found after 29 days of being declared missing.
“It is important that those responsible for these heinous acts are fished out and held accountable for justice to be diligently served.”
Rather than going about intimidating, harassing and killing journalists, the group urged those who feel aggrieved over media reports to always seek redress in courts.
“The CWPPF firmly believes that if any party feels defamed by Mohammed’s report, the appropriate course of action should be through the judicial system rather than resorting to abuse of the powers of the Police as a means to undermine Mr Mohammed’s security and peace of mind. ”
The group equally called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately launch a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the actions of the Police officers who illegally tracked Mohammed’s phone contacts and issued threats to his wife, colleagues and friends.
The Coalition demanded that the Police commands in Niger and Bauchi states, as well as the Federal Government, should guarantee the safety of Mohammed, his family members, colleagues and associates.
