By Godwin Ajom
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the arrest, assaults, threats and intimidation of 21 Journalists during the August 1’st nationwide protest across the nation.
The Managing Editor of CrossRiverWatch Jonathan Ugbal, Joseph Abasi-Abasi of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper and 19 other journalists were either arrested, harassed, threatened and intimidated on the first day of the demonstration.
NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary Achike Chude, describes the act as “hydra-headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassments and seizures of both official and personal assets of members of the Press,” accusing state and non-state actors of perpetuating the act.
NUJ said in “Calabar: Jonathan Ugbal of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested along with other protesters, beaten, and detained by police in Calabar before being released. In Lagos; Bernard Akede of News Central Television, who was interrupted and barred from conducting live interviews by police officers and LCC officials. Again in Calabar; hoodlums attacked journalists, leaving Nigerian Tribune reporter Joseph Abasi-Abasi with severe injuries. The assailants targeted a bus belonging to the NUJ, that was carrying food supplies meant for Journalists to the Ernest Etim Press Centre.
“In Abuja; Daily Independent photojournalist Jide Oyekunle was unlawfully arrested and had his mobile phone confiscated by police officers while covering protests. He was only released following a spontaneous protest by other journalists. Also in Abuja, Olukayode Jayeola, a photojournalist with The PUNCH Newspaper, was arrested by police while covering the protest at Eagle Square. His camera, phones, including an M11, and other personal belongings were confiscated by security operatives.
“Still in Abuja; Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, was brutally assaulted by police officers, who struck him with gun butts and batons, causing head injuries. Mary Adeboye, a journalist with News Central Television, was exposed to teargas fired by police officers while reporting on the protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Also, Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was attacked and injured by Police officers who allegedly hit him with the butt of their guns and their batons and caused injuries to his head while covering the protest. Cameras belonging to journalists were also destroyed by Police officers.
“In Kano; Ibrahim Isah of TVC News was physically attacked by armed hoodlums, sustaining hand injuries. In Delta State, some journalists came under attack by counter-protesters, allegedly supporting the government, while covering the demonstration. Prince Amour Udemude, an investigative journalist, Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper, and Lucy, a reporter with Pointer, were assaulted and had their equipment destroyed.
“Nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested at RNI offices in Maiduguri as they were reporting on the protests,” the apex Journalists Union said.
The Union demands a public apology from the institutions responsible as well as replacement of the lost and damaged assets of the journalists. They further called “for a thorough investigation into these incidents, with a view to punishing the culprits.
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