COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) FCT COUNCIL CONGRESS HELD AT THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARIAT, UTAKO, ABUJA ON SATURDAY JULY 18, 2026.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) FCT COUNCIL CONGRESS HELD AT THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARIAT, UTAKO, ABUJA ON SATURDAY
JULY 18, 2026.

NUJ FCT Seeks Compensation for Xenophobia Victims, Condemns FCT Task Force Harassment

1: The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) FCT Council has called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate compensation for Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa and victims of kidnapping across the country.

2: The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s Monthly Congress held in Abuja on Saturday July 18, 2026.

3: The Congress expressed deep concern over the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, noting that many victims had lost valuable properties and continued to suffer physical, emotional and psychological trauma despite previous evacuation efforts by the Federal Government.

4:The Council urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with the South African Government to secure compensation for affected Nigerians and facilitate the recovery of their properties.

5: It also pledged to sustain media advocacy on the plight of Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence.

6: On the worsening insecurity in the country, the Congress expressed worry over the persistent abduction of students, teachers and other innocent Nigerians and called for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation policy for kidnap victims, their families and security personnel involved in rescue operations.

7: The communiqué also condemned the indiscriminate felling of mature trees across the Federal Capital Territory without replacement, describing the practice as environmentally unsustainable, particularly in the face of climate change.

8: It therefore called on the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation and the Development Control Department to ensure that every tree removed is replaced and to strengthen environmental protection measures.

9: The Congress also expressed concern over the increasing number of destitute persons and street beggars across Abuja, urging the FCT Social Development Secretariat to implement sustainable rehabilitation programmes to address the growing humanitarian challenge.

10: The Council equally condemned the harassment and intimidation of innocent residents by individuals claiming to be members of government task forces in the FCT. It cited an incident witnessed by one of its members while heading to the Congress, where men claiming to be task force operatives intercepted a vehicle, ordered a sick passenger to alight and drove away with the vehicle.

11: The NUJ called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of such operatives, identify those legally authorised to carry out enforcement duties and prosecute anyone found impersonating government officials.

12: The Congress further raised concerns over the security implications posed by the growing number of street beggars and destitutes in Abuja, recalling an incident in which one of its members was aggressively confronted while attempting to photograph a group of beggars near the ECOWAS Secretariat in Asokoro. According to the Council, the journalist was only able to leave safely after an official convoy approached the scene.

13: The NUJ urged the FCT Minister and relevant security agencies to take urgent steps to address the situation while ensuring that the rights and dignity of vulnerable persons are respected.

14: NUJ reassured the public to continue to promote press freedom and advocate policies that advance national security, environmental sustainability, good governance and the welfare of Nigerians.

Signed:

Communiqué’ Drafting Committee Members:
Olakunle Awoniyi
Princess Halima Jubril
Naomi Sharang

Comrade Jide Oyekunle
Secretary of Council