Ensure journalists’ safety in Edo, IPC tells IGP

The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to ensure the safety of journalists covering Edo state governorship election.

In a statement released on Thursday by IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the organisation called on the IGP to instruct his officers on the field to respect the critical role of the media in the election process.

It stressed the need for journalists to be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without obstruction.

The IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, noted that the appeal is crucial, given the history of attacks on journalists during elections, often caused by heightened tensions among political actors and stakeholders.

He urged security agencies and others involved in the election to act professionally and ensure a safe environment for media coverage.

“Election observers and other stakeholders should also work collaboratively with journalists by providing timely information. This will contribute to the overall success of the election,” Arogundade said in the statement.

The IPC also advised journalists to prioritise their safety while covering the election. It revealed that safety alert officers would be available for reporters who face threats or attacks, and journalists can report any such incidents via phone calls or messages.