In what many have described as a significant step toward strengthening democracy and press freedom in Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for releasing two detained journalists and reaffirming its commitment to protecting media rights.
The two journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang of Jay 101.9 FM in Jos, Plateau State, were arrested while covering the funeral of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe. Their detention reportedly followed the circulation of a viral social media video capturing an altercation between a cleric and security personnel at the event.
The incident triggered widespread outrage among media professionals and human rights advocates, who condemned the arrests as an attack on press freedom and a violation of journalists’ constitutional duty to report public events. However, following swift intervention by the DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, both journalists were released unharmed.
According to reports, the DSS chief personally reached out to the leadership of the NUJ, expressing regret over the incident and promising to ensure that future arrests involving journalists would be based strictly on verified investigations. This gesture, described as unprecedented in recent years, has been widely welcomed as a reflection of the DSS’s evolving commitment to transparency, professionalism, and respect for democratic values.
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the NUJ hailed the DSS’s action as “a positive and commendable shift” in the attitude of security agencies toward media practitioners. The Union emphasised that acknowledging mistakes and taking corrective steps demonstrate true leadership and a willingness to build trust between the press and state institutions.
“Press freedom remains the cornerstone of democracy. Journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in the quest for accountability and good governance,” the NUJ stated.
The Union urged the DSS and other security agencies to go a step further by institutionalising accountability mechanisms that punish officers who overstep their authority or violate citizens’ rights. Such measures, it said, would not only deter future abuses but also help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with security agencies to promote professionalism, mutual understanding, and respect for the rule of law. It also reiterated that a free and responsible press is vital for national development, as it provides a platform for truth, transparency, and civic engagement.
With the DSS’s renewed commitment to press freedom, many observers believe this could mark a turning point in the relationship between the media and security institutions in Nigeria one grounded in respect, dialogue, and a shared dedication to democracy.
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