NUJ Commends DSS for Prompt Release of Journalists, Commitment to Press Freedom
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the prompt release of two journalists who were recently detained in Plateau State while on official assignment.
The journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang of Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, were arrested while covering the funeral of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe. Their detention followed the posting of a video on social media that captured a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives at the funeral.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, said the arrest of the journalists raised serious concerns about press freedom and the rights of media professionals to perform their lawful duties without intimidation.
“We were deeply disturbed by the detention of our colleagues while they were carrying out their legitimate assignments,” Abdullahi said. “However, we appreciate the swift intervention of the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who ordered their immediate release, personally apologised to the Union, and directed his operatives to always investigate thoroughly before effecting any arrest.”
The NUJ president described the gesture as “a positive and commendable shift” in the attitude of security agencies toward the media, noting that the DSS’s willingness to admit errors and show accountability represented a crucial step in rebuilding public confidence.
“The readiness of the DSS leadership to acknowledge mistakes and take corrective action is an encouraging sign that institutional reforms are taking root,” Abdullahi stated. “This kind of humility and professionalism should be sustained and emulated by other agencies.”
Abdullahi further urged the DSS and other security institutions to ensure that the rights of journalists are always protected, stressing that “press freedom remains the bedrock of democracy.” He also called for disciplinary measures against officers whose actions violate democratic principles, reaffirming the NUJ’s commitment to constructive engagement with security agencies to promote professionalism and safeguard both press freedom and national security.
