The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Mohammed Garba, on Thursday said 13 Nigerian journalists were killed last year.
Garba, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, in Lagos, said the journalists lost their lives covering assignments.
He said the number was the highest recorded in the history of Nigeria since independence in 1960.
Garba said, “We have an authentic data that 13 journalists were killed nationwide last year, the highest in the history of the country since independence in 1960.”
The International Federation of Journalists had similarly announced that 121 journalists were killed worldwide in 2012, describing the situation as “unfortunate and sad”.
Garba reiterated the need to intensify the provision of security and safety for journalists.
He said, “Media organisations should endeavour to provide good insurance policy that would cover the lives of journalists.
“Also, all journalists covering strategic areas such as Government Houses should be insured by the government.”
Garba condemned the abuse and harassment meted out to media men in the course of their duties.
He urged security agents, politicians and the populace to respect journalists in the course of doing their jobs.
Some of the journalists killed in 2012 were Enenche Akogwu of Channels Television, Zakariya Isa, Nigeria Television Authority and Abubakar Sadiq, Daily Trust.
