The tension that overshadowed the funeral of the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nana Lydia Yilwatda, in Jos appears to be subsiding,, following the release of two detained female journalists and a public apology from Nigeria’s top intelligence chief.
The funeral, held at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) Headquarters in Plateau State, was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other top dignitaries. However, the event took a controversial turn when security operatives reportedly locked out several church officials, including the resident pastor, just as the President arrived.
This sparked a confrontation at the church gates, part of which was captured on video and later circulated on social media. The video showed a visibly upset pastor being restrained, while others voiced their discontent.
Among those who reported the incident were Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, journalists with Jay 101.9 FM in Jos. Shortly after their coverage went viral, both were arrested by security operatives, triggering a wave of concern from the media community and the public.
Outrage followed online, with many Nigerians criticizing what they called the “politicisation” of a sacred space. One user described it as “the political burial service of the century,” lamenting how even church leaders were denied access for not having invitation cards.
Another added:
“This is unimaginable – locking out a resident pastor from his own church during a funeral? The Church needs to rethink how much access it gives politicians.”
Some, however, questioned the pastor’s timing, suggesting he should have arrived earlier to avoid being caught up in tightened security arrangements.
Journalists Released After DSS Apology
Following growing pressure, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) confirmed that Marcus and Jang had been released. The union expressed appreciation for the intervention of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who not only ordered their immediate release but also personally apologized to the NUJ.
In a statement, NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, described the DSS boss’s actions as “a commendable step in restoring public confidence in our security institutions.”
“We are encouraged by the DSS’s willingness to admit error and take corrective action,” the NUJ stated. “This marks a shift toward a more accountable and citizen-respecting security culture.”
A Call for Continued Reform
While applauding the journalists’ release, the NUJ emphasized the need for sustained reforms across security agencies.
“Press freedom is the bedrock of democracy,” the statement read. “Journalists must never be treated as adversaries for performing their constitutional duties.”
The union called on the DSS and other security bodies to enforce internal accountability, urging sanctions for officers who abuse their power.
In closing, the NUJ urged journalists to remain vigilant and professional, reaffirming its commitment to working with security institutions to protect both national interests and democratic freedoms.
