The International Press Centre, IPC, Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, Hub has condemned an attack on journalists returning from an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Kano State.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 5, 2026, after journalists covered the Tinubu Support Group rally held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
The IPC-SPJ Hub made its position known in a statement issued on Monday and signed by Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan.
According to the statement, a vehicle conveying journalists from several media organisations was attacked by hoodlums after the political rally.
“The affected journalists included four staff members of Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM, a journalist from Guarantee Radio and another reporter from Daily Trust,” the statement said.
The statement said the hoodlums repeatedly hit the vehicle while the journalists were returning from the rally.
It added that the driver sustained injuries during the attack, while some of the journalists were hit by broken glass from the damaged vehicle.
“The incident happened after the APC had held the Tinubu Support Group rally at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano,” the statement added.
The IPC-SPJ Hub described the incident as a serious concern, particularly because a Radio Nigeria Pyramid FM vehicle was damaged during the attack.
The Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, said the incident posed a threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists covering political activities.
Arogundade said journalists should not be subjected to attacks as political campaigns and rallies increase ahead of the general elections.
“The campaigns and rally just recently started, and journalists should not be subject to any form of attack at this time, when political activities are gradually increasing ahead of the general elections,” he said.
The IPC-SPJ Hub consequently called on security agencies to strengthen measures aimed at protecting journalists covering political activities.
The Hub urged security agencies to pay particular attention to journalists deployed to large political gatherings, where they may face heightened safety risks.
It also advised media organisations and journalists covering electoral activities to conduct security assessments and maintain safety consciousness while reporting political and election-related events.