The Coalition of Nigerian Media and Civil Society Groups have condemned the killing of Saudi Arabian journalist, Jamal Khashogi in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey.
The group through a statement signed by executive members, Peter Nkanga and Chido Onumah commiserates with the family and friends of journalist, Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi, and the people of Saudi Arabia.
“No human being should ever have to face such a bestial death. Jamal did not deserve to die, let alone in the one place where he should have felt safest in a foreign land – the Saudi Arabia Consulate,” read the statement.
The statement further read that Khashogi’s death is a grave injustice and also an indication that there are many more people whom may have been killed in a similar manner.
“And that is why we are gathered here, to tell the Saudi government that injury to one is injury to all. The world abhors the evil perpetrated against Jamal. We are here to say Jamal’s life and death will never be in vain. His blood will keep speaking for generations to come and his legacy will forever remain.
“We are here to demand only one thing from the King and the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
“The person(s) who gave the order for the bestial murder of journalist, Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi, and the person(s) who carried the order, All of them MUST be brought to account,” the statement further read.
The group also mentioned that they had convened also in memory of Nigerian journalists, many of whom have been killed in the line of duty, and in total impunity.
“Just as we call on the Saudi government, so also, we call on the Nigerian government to put an end to impunity for crimes against journalists.
“This month, 32 years ago, we still remember the murder of journalist, Dele Giwa, killed via a parcel bomb delivered to him on October 19, 1986. That case smacks of government conspiracy.
“We are here to tell the Nigerian government to take into account that in 32 years since Dele Giwa’s assassination, countless murders of journalists have occurred, and not one has been conclusive to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We therefore call on Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, to do what any conscionable government would do:
“Order the reopening of impartial, independent, and transparent investigations into the murders of all journalists killed in the country and ensure their killers don’t go unpunished.”