By Danjuma Amodu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council has called on the Federal Government to compensate Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa and to introduce a comprehensive compensation policy for victims of kidnapping nationwide.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued by the Council Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, at the end of the Council’s monthly congress held at its Secretariat in Utako, Abuja on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
The Congress expressed concern over recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, noting that many victims lost property and continue to suffer physical, emotional and psychological trauma despite previous evacuation efforts by the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government should intensify diplomatic engagement with the South African Government to secure compensation for affected Nigerians and facilitate the recovery of their properties”
— NUJ FCT Council Communiqué, July 18, 2026
The Council said it would sustain media advocacy on the issue and also expressed worry over the persistent abduction of students, teachers and other civilians. It called for a structured compensation framework for kidnap victims, their families and security personnel involved in rescue operations.
The communiqué further condemned the indiscriminate felling of mature trees across the Federal Capital Territory without replacement, describing it as environmentally unsustainable amid climate change. It urged the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation and the Development Control Department to enforce a tree-for-tree replacement policy and strengthen environmental protection measures.
The Council also raised concern over the growing number of destitute persons and street beggars in Abuja, and called on the FCT Social Development Secretariat to implement sustainable rehabilitation programmes to address the humanitarian challenge.
The NUJ condemned the harassment and intimidation of residents by persons claiming to be members of FCT government task forces. It cited an incident witnessed by one of its members while heading to the congress, where men claiming to be task force operatives stopped a vehicle, ordered a sick passenger to alight and drove away with the vehicle.
The Union called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of such operatives, identify those legally empowered to carry out enforcement duties, and prosecute anyone found impersonating government officials.
The Congress also highlighted security concerns around the increasing number of street beggars in Abuja, recalling an incident where one of its members was aggressively confronted while photographing a group of beggars near the ECOWAS Secretariat in Asokoro and only left safely after an official convoy arrived.
The NUJ urged the FCT Administration and security agencies to take urgent steps to address the situation while ensuring the rights and dignity of vulnerable persons are respected. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting press freedom and advocating policies that advance national security, environmental sustainability, good governance and the welfare of Nigerians.
