On May 21, 2015, a presidential guard whipped Samira Sabo, a journalist with the state-owned publishing corporation, l’Office National des Editions de Presse.
The MFWA’s correspondent in Niger reported that Sabo was parking her car so she could go to a shop when the guard, whose name is unknown, ordered her not to park her vehicle where she was parking.
According to the guard, it was an area used by the President of Niger. Sabo reportedly parked the vehicle at her office about 50 metres away from the shop.
However, after making her purchase and leaving the shop, the presidential guard allegedly whipped her with his belt.
According to MFWA’s correspondent, Sabo consequently lodged a complaint with the State Prosecutor’s Department, where several other complaints have been lodged by citizens against members of the security forces or ministers.
The MFWA condemns the attack on the journalist. We note with the concern the increasing number of violations by security forces against journalists in West Africa as well as the recent spate of freedom of expression violations in Niger.