An Imo-based journalist with The Statesman Newspapers, Jude Onyenedogha, has filed a petition with Commissioner of Police C.P. Aboki Danjuma, detailing threats to his life allegedly made by Nath Nwosu of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri in Mbaitolu LGA, along with his associates.
In recent years, there have been increasing efforts to suppress media and civic freedoms in Nigeria. The 2024 report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Nigeria among the most perilous and challenging countries for journalists in West Africa.
In May, the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF-NCCC) summoned Nurudeen Yahaya Akewushola, a reporter from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), following his exposé revealing how previous police leaders exploited their positions for corrupt activities.
Additionally, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with The Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was detained by police over allegations related to “cybercrime”.
The threats from Mr Nwosu emerged after Onyenedogha reached out to him for comment regarding allegations that Nwosu was inciting discord in his community by establishing a rival leadership against the legitimate community executive.
A recorded phone call obtained by this reporter reveals Mr Nwosu and his associates threatening to find the journalist and eliminate him, also hurling insults at him for making the call.
The petition submitted by Onyenedogha states: “I wish to bring to your attention the threats to my life by Nath Nwosu of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri, Mbaitolu LGA, and his associates, merely for attempting to carry out my professional duties.
“I have been informed that Nath Nwosu is causing unrest in his community by imposing a parallel executive on the duly elected leadership.
“In adherence to professional ethics, I reached out to him to hear his perspective for balanced reporting. Upon introducing myself and presenting the information I had, he interrupted me, resorting to insults and threats, warning me against contacting him again under the threat of violence. He subsequently passed the phone to one of his associates, who intensified the threats, declaring that if I were to call again, he would track me down and kill me, repeatedly asserting that I would be a dead man if I wasn’t careful.”
Onyenedogha noted that what he initially perceived as an idle threat escalated into a grave situation, with Nwosu’s hired associates stalking him online, and he began receiving unsettling phone calls that he had initially dismissed.
“However, I became increasingly alarmed upon learning that they had circulated my photograph and phone number among themselves in an effort to locate me.
“Due to these threats and the ongoing tracking of my movements, coupled with the current societal climate where human life is devalued, I’ve been living in constant fear. My movements are severely restricted, and I can no longer sleep soundly.
“While I trust in your ability to ensure justice in this matter, I wish to formally state that should anything untoward happen to me or any members of my family, Nath Nwosu, also known as Dee Nath, of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri, should be held accountable.”
When contacted via telephone earlier this week, Mr Nwosu denied threatening the journalist.
He claimed to be an elderly man of 80 years who had just returned from America last month.
Nwosu asserted that the journalist had not identified himself and alleged that the reporter had simply called, questioning him about supposed conflicts in his village.
In response to this reporter’s inquiries, ASP Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in Imo State, confirmed receiving a petition from Onyenedogha and stated that the command is addressing the matter.
