IPC decries threat on Jafaar Jafaar’s life

The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed worries and disturbed about the reported threats on the life of Daily Nigerian publisher Jaafar Jaafar who went into hiding because of fear for his life as unidentified persons, likely to be ‘hitmen’ had been stalking him both at his Abuja and Kano residences.

Solacebase reports that these threats came after Jaafar Jaafar had published video clips of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State in October 2018, allegedly showing him collecting bribe in dollars from a contractor.

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Following the Governor’s recent interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, March 19, 2021, where he said that they were making plans to deal with those who released the videos, Jaafar wrote a petition to the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on the renewed threats to his life, without any action.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Program Officer/Safety Alert Desk Officer, International Press Centre, Melody Lawal and obtained by Solacebase.

According to the statement, on the 14th of April, 2021, Jaafar further received an invitation from the Inspector General of Police monitoring unit for questioning alleging that he was inciting violence and spreading injurious falsehood against the IGP.

‘’Report reaching IPC’s Safety Alert Desk reveals that, on Wednesday, April 22, 2021, Jaafar posted on his Facebook page that, “he is now out of hiding and hopes to be safe,’’ said the statement.

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‘’The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade said, “We are deeply worried about the situation of Jaafar and hereby call on the Nigerian government and the security agencies to ensure that he is not harmed in any way.”

‘’We enjoin anyone who may be aggrieved over the reports of the journalist to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted following the due process of the law, Arogundade said further. ‘’

‘’IPC believes the time has come to stop attacks on journalists in Nigeria so that the country would stop being counted among dangerous zones for journalists to practice across the world.’’