In January, Nigerian soldiers invaded the office of a local newspaper
in Maiduguri, Borno state, and took away two reporters over an article
the army claimed revealed classified information about its
anti-terrorism operations in the country's northeast.
Two other journalists, Jones Abiri and Agba Jalingo are currently facing charges related to their reporting. Abiri was previously detained by security forces for two years, without access to a lawyer or his family.
Nigeria ranks 120 among 180 countries in
the 2019 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. The
international organization said a climate of violence has made holding
the powerful accountable "problematic" for journalists in the nation.
CPJ said at least four journalists covering the Revolution Now protests organized by Sowore were detained in Rivers state in August.
'A dangerous and critical place'
Sowore's wife expressed concerns for the safety of her husband and those calling for his freedom.
"The
situation in Nigeria has escalated to a dangerous and critical place.
I'm scared for my husband's life and the lives of all journalists -- and
frankly, anyone who speaks the truth under Buhari's rule," Ope Sowore
told CNN.
"Guns fired at
journalists. Witnesses describe a violent scene erupting at the hands of
DSS armed guards and evidence of journalists being beaten and injured,"
she added.
Presidential spokesman
Garba Shehu said the Buhari administration respects the constitutional
rights of citizens and opposition to protest peacefully, but he said
that was not what Sowore was trying to do.
"Sowore
is an opposition (member) who is seeking power through another means,"
Shehu told CNN. "We cannot say that is about the media. The government
has not prevented journalists from carrying out their assignment and
duties."
Anti-corruption campaigner
Sowore
has been an outspoken critic of past Nigerian governments. A former
student union activist-turned-journalist-turned politician, he has been
particularly critical of Buhari, whom he ran against in the country's
general elections in February.
The anti-corruption campaigner has been scathing of Buhari's economic and security policies.
"This
is the most difficult time to be a Nigerian. This country is not safe.
... This country is not working and the people who are leaders of this
country are incompetent and they are not ready to change their ways,"
Sowore said in an interview with Arise television in July.
"There
is hunger, starvation and insecurity in the land, the government has
failed and until we take that necessary big step, not next level,
Nigeria will not attain its potential," he said.
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