The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has praised the Department of State Services (DSS) for the swift release of two reporters from Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, who were arrested while covering the funeral of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
The journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, were arrested after they filmed DSS operatives restricting some pastors from entering the church where the funeral service was being held.
A video of the confrontation between the DSS and the media practitioners later surfaced on social media, sparking concern over press freedom and the treatment of journalists.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya, welcomed the intervention of DSS Director-General, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, which secured the immediate release of the reporters.
“We are encouraged by the decisive intervention of the DSS Director-General, who not only ordered their release but also personally reached out to the Union to tender his apologies. He has also reiterated his directive to DSS operatives to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests,” Yahya said.
The NUJ leader described the gesture as a positive shift in Nigeria’s security culture. “The willingness of the DSS leadership to admit errors, apologise where necessary, and commit to reforms is an important step in strengthening public trust and confidence in the agency,” he added.
Yahya urged the DSS and other security agencies to respect the rights of journalists at all times. “Press freedom is the bedrock of democracy, and journalists must never be treated as adversaries for performing their constitutional duties. We call on the DSS to institutionalise accountability by sanctioning officers whose actions undermine democratic values and constitutional rights,” he said.
He further assured that the NUJ remains committed to constructive dialogue with security institutions to foster professionalism, protect press freedom, and safeguard national security.
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