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An Imo based Journalist with The Statesman Newspapers, Jude Onyenedogha, has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, C.P Aboki Danjuma, over a threat to his life by one Nath Nwosu of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri, Mbaitolu LGA and his boys.
Recently, there have been efforts to suppress media and civic space in Nigeria over the years.
The 2024 data by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.
In May, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) invited Nurudeen Yahaya Akewushola, a reporter with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), following a report detailing how past police bosses used their offices for official corruption.
Also, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with The Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was detained by the police over an allegation bordering on “cybercrime”.
The threat by Mr. Nwosu began when the journalist called him to get his reaction over an allegation that he(Nwosu) was instigating a crisis in his community by instituting a factional leadership against the duly elected executive of the community.
In a recorded call note obtained by this reporter, Mr Nwosu and his boys can be heard threatening to trace the journalist to his location and eliminate him. The voice also abused the journalist for calling him.
The petition by Mr Onyenedogha partly read: “I hereby bring to your notice, the threat to my life by one Nath Nwosu of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri, Mbaitolu LGA of Imo State and his boys, for trying to do my professional work.
“I got information that the said Nath Nwosu is causing crisis in his Community by foisting a parallel executive on the community against the duly elected executive of the community.
“To do professional work and not run foul of professional ethics, I called the man to hear his side of the story for a balanced reportage.
“I called him, introduced myself, and informed him of the information I had. He did not even allow me to land; he started causing and threatening me, warning me not to call his line again or he would deal with me. At that point, he handed the phone to some of his boys, who further threatened me.
One of them warned that if I ever call the line again, he will track me down to wherever I am and kill me, saying repeatedly that I will be a dead man if I don’t take time”.
Onyenedogha said what he thought was a mere threat later turned into a serious issue, with hired boys of Nwosu trailing him through his social media, adding that they have been giving him strange calls, which he still overlooked.
“However, I was alarmed when I became aware that they had circulated my picture and phone number among themselves to track me down.
“Because of this threat, trailing and tracking of my movement, and coupled with what is currently happening in the society, where human life has become so cheap, and people now take the life of their fellow human beings at the slightest or presumed provocation, I have been in great apprehension. My movement has been seriously restricted and I can no longer sleep with my two eyes closed.
“While expressing confidence in your ability to bring justice in this case, I want it to be placed on record that in case any strange thing happens to me or any member of my family, any moment, this man, Nath Nwosu, popularly known as Dee Nath, of Umuonyeali Ugo Mbieri should be held responsible”.
When contacted Mr Nwosu on the telephone earlier this week, he denied threatening the journalist.
He said he is an old man of 80 years who just came back from America last month.
Mr Nwosu said the journalist never identified himself to him. He claimed that the pressman had just called him and started interrogating him over the phone, asking him why he was fueling a crisis in his village.
He said that the approach the journalist used on him was what transpired.
When this reporter contacted the police spokesperson in Imo State, ASP Henry Okoye confirmed that he received a petition from the journalist.
He said that the command is on top of the matter.
