A cloud of tension and uncertainty has descended upon the media community in Plateau State following the alarming arrest of two journalists from Jay FM, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, by unidentified security operatives.
The detention, which occurred on Saturday, is directly linked to their coverage of a funeral service for the mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, where a viral video captured a heated altercation between a cleric and security personnel.The incident unfolded at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Headquarters in Jos, an event attended by numerous dignitaries.
The two reporters, having professionally covered the service, shared footage of the unexpected confrontation on the station’s social media platforms. The video quickly gained traction online, apparently triggering a swift and opaque response from security forces. According to a statement released by Jay FM on its official Facebook page, the journalists were detained shortly after the footage was published, plunging their colleagues and families into a state of anxiety.
The most disquieting aspect of the situation is the complete lack of transparency surrounding the arrest.
The station’s management explicitly stated it is “trying to verify which of the security agencies are holding them and their location,” indicating a detention carried out without due process or official communication.
As of press time, all efforts to trace the journalists’ whereabouts have been unsuccessful, a situation that human rights organizations describe as a form of enforced disappearance and a blatant violation of their fundamental rights.
This development has ignited widespread outrage among media professionals and civil society advocates across Nigeria.
Many are condemning the act as a severe infringement on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists from performing their constitutional duty.
Jay FM has firmly stated that it stands by its editorial decision to publish the clip, defending the public’s right to information.
The incident has sparked urgent calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, alongside demands for full accountability from the security agencies involved, underscoring the fragile state of press freedom when reporting on powerful institutions.
