The Centre noted that in FCT, Lagos, Kano, Cross Rivers, Delta states, some of the affected journalists were injured, arrested or had their working tools destroyed....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned in strongest terms the reported attacks and arrest of journalists and other media professionals on Thursday, August 1, while covering the ongoing nationwide protest by Nigerians.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Nigerians on Thursday trooped out to the streets across the country in protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, aimed at demanding an end to hunger and hardship in the country, orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu-led government’s economic policies.
The IPC in a statement issued by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, said that information gathered by its journalists’ Safety of Journalists Alert room revealed that a number of journalists and media professionals faced one form of attack or the other including physical assault, harassment, denial of access to cover the protest, amongst others in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos and other states of the federation.
The Centre noted that in FCT, Lagos, Kano, Cross Rivers, Delta states, some of the affected journalists were injured, arrested or had their working tools destroyed.
According to details of the incidents documented by IPC’s Safety of Journalists Alert Desk, in Lagos State, News Central Television journalist, Benard Akede, was interrupted and harassed by Police officers and Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) officials who barred him and other journalists from interviewing anyone during a live broadcast.
In Kano State, TVC News Correspondent, Ibrahim Isah, was physically assaulted by hoodlums who were with weapons while covering the protest. He sustained injuries on his hand.
Also, a vehicle belonging to Channels Television and conveying about 11 journalists including Isah of TVC News was attacked and vandalised. As a result of the attack, the journalists onboard were traumatised.
The IPC also said that in FCT, Abuja, Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, while covering the protest, was attacked and injured by police officers who hit him with the butt of their gun and their batons, injuring him on the head.
Also, cameras belonging to journalists were destroyed by police officers, while a photojournalist with Daily Independent, Jide Oyekunle, was arrested and his mobile phone seized by police officers.
Similarly, Mary Adeboye of News Central Television was affected by tear gas thrown by police officers while covering the protest in the FCT
In Cross-River State, hoodlums in Calabar, the state capital, launched an attack on journalists, inflicting grievous injuries on Nigerian Tribune reporter, Joseph Abasi-Abasi.
“The hoodlums targeted an 18-seater bus belonging to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that was transporting food items to the Ernest Etim Press Centre in Calabar.
“Jonathan Ugbal of Cross River Watch was arrested by the Police, beaten and taken to an unknown destination in Calabar. He was later released,” the IPC added.
The Centre further stated that in Delta State, Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper and a Pointer reporter, Lucy, were attacked by anti-protest hoodlums who arrived at the location of the protest and chased away protesters amid the presence of security agencies.
“The journalists were taking pictures and conducting interviews when the allegedly pro-government protesters smashed their gadgets and attacked them,” the statement added.
Akinjiyan in the statement described the attacks as a troubling repeat of history, stating that under no condition should journalists on legitimate duty be assaulted by law enforcement agencies and thugs.
Akinjiyan said, “It is regrettable that the incidents were recorded despite calls by IPC and other media groups on stakeholders and security agencies to ensure a safe environment for journalists covering the protests.
“The rights of journalists to cover and report protests and other societal activities as guaranteed by the 1999 Nigeria Constitution and various regulatory frameworks have not been respected as expected.”
Akinjiyan called on all concerned security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
