The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the brutal attack on journalists covering a recent protest, resulting in injuries to at least 21 media professionals. The assault, carried out by a combination of police officers and hoodlums, has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria.
In a statement by its National Secretary, Achike Chude, the NUJ described the incident as a recurrence of intimidation and harassment of journalists by both state and non-state actors. “The hydra-headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassments and seizures of both official and personal assets of members of the press reared its ugly head once more,” Chude said.
The NUJ expressed frustration that these attacks continue despite efforts to engage government officials and security forces to address such anti-democratic behaviors. “This sordid and unacceptable state of affairs, especially those perpetrated by state actors, is happening in spite of various conscious efforts by the NUJ to engage government officials and security forces to address the anti-democratic behaviors by those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order,” the statement read.
The NUJ assured the public and authorities that journalists would not be deterred from their responsibilities. “We want to assure Nigerians and the authorities, that journalists will neither be cowed nor deterred from carrying out their responsibilities of engaging the society with a view of informing, enlightening and educating the citizens for the purpose of promoting the public good,” Chude emphasized.
The statement listed several incidents of journalist intimidation and harassment across the country:
– In Lagos, Bernard Akede of News Central Television was interrupted and barred from conducting live interviews by police officers and LCC officials.
– In Calabar, Cross River State, hoodlums attacked journalists, injuring Nigerian Tribune reporter Joseph Abasi-Abasi, and targeting a NUJ bus carrying food supplies to the Ernest Etim Press Centre. Jonathan Ugbal of Cross River Watch was arrested, beaten, and detained by police in Calabar before being released.
– In Abuja, Daily Independent photojournalist Jide Oyekunle was unlawfully arrested, and his mobile phone was confiscated by police officers. He was released following a spontaneous protest by other journalists. Olukayode Jayeola, a photojournalist with Punch Newspaper, was arrested, and his camera and personal belongings were confiscated by security operatives. Mary Adeboye of News Central Television was exposed to tear gas, and Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was attacked and injured by police officers.
– In Kano, Ibrahim Isah of TVC News was physically attacked by armed hoodlums, sustaining hand injuries.
– In Delta State, journalists, including Prince Amour Udemude, Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper, and Lucy from Pointer, were assaulted and had their equipment destroyed.
– In Maiduguri, nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested while reporting on the protests.
The NUJ called for a thorough investigation into these incidents and demanded a public apology and compensation for the journalists affected. “We are currently investigating this unwholesome and troublesome assault on the profession, and compiling a list of official and personal assets of journalists that were either lost, seized, or damaged to determine their value,” the statement concluded. “We expect nothing less than a public apology from the institutions responsible as well as replacement of the lost and damaged assets of the journalists. Nigeria is supposed to be a country of law and order. We expect no less in terms of professional conduct from officials that are being maintained with state resources.”
