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Terrorism reporting: You have 48 hours to withdraw threat to sanction BBC, Daily Trust – SERAP to Buhari
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture to withdraw the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism in the country, whether through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or any other agency of government.”
According to reports, Mr Mohammed had last Thursday stated that the Federal Government would sanction the BBC and Trust Tv for airing documentaries that allegedly “glorify”, “promote”, and “fuel” terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
In a letter dated 30 July, 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “The media has the duty to impart information and ideas on issues of public importance. If carried out, the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would inhibit the media from reporting on issues of public interest.”
According to SERAP, “Media houses and journalists ought to be given the room to determine how best to present information of public interest, especially information about the growing violence and killings across the country.”
The organization said, “Rather than punishing the media for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance, your government should focus on delivering your promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.”
The organization also said, “Carrying out the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would lessen the flow of diverse viewpoints and information to the public.”
The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”
“A free, uncensored, and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other rights. It constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.”
“Sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
“The threat if carried out would impermissibly restrict the constitutional and international rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and victims’ right to justice and effective remedies that are central to public debate and accountability in a democratic society.”
“Access to information is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights and freedoms and constitutes a fundamental pillar for building a democratic society and strengthening democracy.”
“Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on media houses, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.”
“The grounds for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust as stated by Mr Mohammed fail to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ are not used as a pretext to unduly intrude upon the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”
“Any interference with the constitutional and legal duties of the BBC and Daily Trust would not be justified in the context of the right to information.”
“The Federal Government has not shown that the documentaries by the media houses would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public’s interest in the information provided by the documentaries.”
“The documentaries by the BBC and Daily pose no risk to any definite interest in national security or public order.”
“It is inconsistent and compatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] to invoke the grounds of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ as justifications for suppressing freedom of expression or withholding from the public information of legitimate public interest that does not harm national security.”
“It is contrary to both the Nigerian Constitution and international standards to threaten or punish journalists and media houses such as the BBC and Daily Trust for disseminating such information.”
“The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ raise concerns that the threat by the Federal Government if carried out would unduly interfere with the rights to access to information, and disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim. Ill-defined and/or overly broad grounds are open to arbitrary application and abuse.”
“The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ also heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion on the government, and suggest that the grounds cited by the Federal Government are more intrusive than necessary.”
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“These words do not indicate precisely what kind of individual conduct would fall within their ambit.”
“The use of these words by the Federal Government, given their opaque and ambiguous meaning, leaves open the possibility for application beyond unequivocal incitement to hatred, hostility, or violence. Such words may function to interpret legitimate reporting by media houses, journalists, and other Nigerians as unlawful.”
“The grounds cited by the Federal Government for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust also fail to establish a direct and immediate connection between the reporting by the media houses and any risks to national security and peace.”
“The threat if carried out would also create an environment that unduly deters and penalizes media houses and journalists, and the reporting of government wrongdoing more generally.”
“The cumulative effect of any attempt to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would be the gagging of the media from reporting on cases of violence and killings by terrorists and kidnappers, the reporting and information that is clearly in the public interest.”
“SERAP recalls that in your 2022 new year message, you raised concerns about persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country and promised to remain ‘resolute in giving utmost attention to the problem.’”
“While your government has the obligation to maintain national security, this obligation is not set apart from the obligation to protect and ensure human rights. National security is a necessary and integral part of the right to security guaranteed to each person individually.”
The Katsina State Government has announced a series of stringent security measures aimed at tackling the growing menace of banditry and kidnapping across the state.
Governor Dikko Radda unveiled the new directives through an Executive Order issued after an emergency security meeting attended by security agencies, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders.
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According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the measures are intended to cut off logistics and communication channels allegedly used by criminal groups operating within the state.
Among the new directives is an immediate ban on the sale, purchase, transportation, and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans across Katsina State.
The statement said, “The measure is designed to prevent the diversion of fuel supplies to criminal elements operating in remote locations.”
The government also ordered the immediate closure of all Point of Sale (POS) businesses and commercial phone-charging points in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas, citing security reports indicating that such facilities were being exploited by criminal networks.
In addition, the use of motorcycles has been prohibited throughout Matazu and Musawa LGAs. Authorities believe the restriction will significantly disrupt the movement and operations of bandits and kidnappers who frequently rely on motorcycles for transportation.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the statement noted, “Security assessments have shown that these facilities are being exploited by criminal networks to facilitate their activities.”
Governor Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that the safety of residents remains a top priority.
He assured citizens that the government would continue collaborating with security agencies to restore peace and stability across all parts of the state.
The governor also urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by complying with the new directives and providing useful information to security agencies whenever necessary.
Warning against violations of the order, the government stated that defaulters would face the full weight of the law.
“The Katsina State Government remains committed to taking all lawful and necessary measures to ensure that communities across the state remain safe, secure and conducive to economic and social activities,” the statement added.
The United Kingdom has announced 70 new sanctions against Russia, escalating efforts to pressure Moscow into ending its prolonged war against Ukraine.
The measures were unveiled on Tuesday by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a special session of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where leaders of the world’s leading economies gathered to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to increase pressure on the Kremlin.
The latest sanctions target Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, military procurement networks, and financial channels allegedly used to bypass existing international restrictions.
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Announcing the move, Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to working with its allies to weaken Russia’s war capabilities.
“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent,” Starmer said.
According to a joint statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Office, the sanctions are aimed at Russia’s “decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks used to circumvent sanctions.”
The statement added that the measures “will choke Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts” by targeting key sectors supporting Moscow’s military operations.
Among those affected are more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of vessels reportedly used to transport energy products and other assets under different national flags in an attempt to evade sanctions.
The UK government also revealed that Britain has become the first G7 member nation to sanction several Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia to support its already-sanctioned Arctic LNG project.
The announcement comes shortly after fresh Russian missile and drone attacks struck several locations across Ukraine on Monday, killing at least 11 people and triggering a fire at one of Kyiv’s most significant Orthodox monasteries.
Starmer is expected to urge fellow G7 leaders to take stronger collective action in support of Ukraine.
According to his office, the British leader will tell the summit that “the G7 should collectively go further to ensure Ukraine secures the just and lasting peace it deserves.”
In addition to the sanctions package, the UK government announced a new agreement to provide enriched uranium for Ukraine’s nuclear power stations.
The deal, backed by £210 million ($282 million) in export finance, will allow UK-based nuclear fuel supplier Urenco to deliver enriched uranium to Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom.
British officials said the arrangement is expected to help power Ukraine’s nuclear facilities for the next two years as the country continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing conflict.
The Dangote Group has reinforced its long-standing partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) through the signing of a $600 million loan facility to support the expansion of its fertiliser production capacity, an important milestone in advancing food security across Nigeria and the African continent.
The financing, extended to GreenView Fertilizer Corporation (Greenview), the Dangote Fertiliser Holding Company, will partly fund the expansion of urea production capacity in Nigeria as well as the development of a new fertiliser plant in Ethiopia.
This investment forms a key component of the Dangote Group’s broader $7 billion fertiliser expansion programme. The initiative is expected to increase production capacity in Nigeria from 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 9 MTPA, while also supporting the establishment of a new 3 MTPA urea plant in Ethiopia. Upon completion, the programme will significantly boost Africa’s fertiliser output, strengthen regional food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and reduce dependence on imports.
The facility underscores AFC’s strong confidence in Dangote Group’s vision to drive industrial growth and agricultural transformation through large-scale infrastructure investments. The funds will primarily support the ongoing expansion of the Dangote Fertiliser Plant at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, one of the largest granulated urea fertiliser complexes in the world.
The expansion is expected to substantially scale up production, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure consistent availability of high-quality fertilisers to farmers across the continent. It will also contribute to price stability, reduce import dependency, and enhance crop yields, strengthening Africa’s overall food security framework.
Speaking on the development, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the expansion would generate significant foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria. “This investment positions us to deliver over $4 billion annually in fertiliser exports within the next three years. It represents a major contribution to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and underscores our commitment to national economic growth.
“Our growth vision is not in isolation, we are building alongside strategic African partners like AFC and other institutions committed to the continent’s progress.”
Also commenting on the transaction, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal: “This transaction reflects AFC’s capital recycling model in action. Following the successful repayment of our earlier investment in Dangote Industries Limited, we are reinvesting and doubling that capital into Dangote Group’s next growth phase.
By supporting the expansion of Dangote Fertilizer, AFC is backing a proven African industrial leader whose investments will strengthen food security, reduce import dependence, and create long-term economic value across the continent.”
This development builds on AFC’s strong track record of successful investments and exits across Africa, including projects in renewable energy, port infrastructure, digital connectivity, and industrial platforms.
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The Dangote Fertiliser Plant currently plays a critical role in meeting domestic demand while exporting to international markets, thereby generating valuable foreign exchange for Nigeria. With this new phase of expansion, the company is poised to consolidate its leadership position in the global fertiliser market while advancing Africa’s agricultural and economic resilience.
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