WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum have condemned two separate violent attacks that have claimed the lives of three journalists in Nigeria.

On 24 April, a mob of Muslim rioters in Jos, Plateau state, killed Nathan S. Dabak, deputy editor of The Light Bearer, and his colleague, reporter Sunday Gyang Bwede as they were traveling to interview a local politician.

The Nassawara Gwong area of the city has recently seen significant violence between Christian and Muslim communities. Reacting to the discovery of the body of a Muslim man near to a church, rioters are believed to have attacked the journalists, whose newspaper is owned by the Church of Christ in Nigeria, in retaliation.

Also on 24 April, Edo Sule Ugbagwu, a court reporter for daily newspaper The Nation was shot at his home in Lagos by two men demanding money. Police are unsure as to whether the attack was part of an attempted robbery or an assassination.

In a letter to the acting President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, WAN-IFRA called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the three murders and reminded him “that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.”

The full letter read:

"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries, to express our grave concern at the murder of three journalists.

"According to reports, on the morning of 24 April a mob of rioters in Jos, Plateau state, killed Nathan S. Dabak, deputy editor of The Light Bearer, and his colleague, reporter Sunday Gyang Bwede. At least three other people were killed in the riots in the Nassawara Gwong area of Jos, which has recently seen significant violence between the Christian and Muslim communities. The rioters were reportedly reacting to the discovery of the corpse of a Muslim man found near a church. The Light Bearer is owned by the Church of Christ in Nigeria.

"The journalists were reportedly riding a motorcycle on their way to interview a local politician when they were attacked.

"Also on 24 April, Edo Sule Ugbagwu, court reporter for the daily The Nation, was shot at his home in Lagos by two men demanding money. The gunmen shot Mr Ugbagwu twice before driving off without taking anything. Police were reportedly unsure as to whether the attack was part of an attempted robbery or an assassination.

"We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.

"We respectfully call on you to ensure that the murders of Mr Dabak, Mr Bwede and Mr Ugbagwu are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are quickly brought to justice. We urge you to do everything possible to ensure the safety of journalists."