By Yemi Akinsuyi
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has condemned in strong terms the reported attacks on the Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Federal Capital Territory FCT, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, and other media professionals on Thursday, while covering the first day of a nation-wide protest by groups demanding end to hardship inducing economic policies.
According to a press release signed by the Press Freedom Officer, IPC, Melody Akinjiyan,
Information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation 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, etc.
Some of the affected journalists, she said, were injured, arrested or had their working tools destroyed.
“The details of the incidents as documented by IPC’s Safety of Journalists Alert Desk include: Lagos State; Benard Akede of News Central Television was interrupted and harassed by Police officers and LCC officials who barred him and other journalists from interviewing anyone during a live broadcast.
“Kano State; Ibrahim Isah, TVC News Correspondent was physically assaulted by hoodlums who were with weapons while covering the protest in Kano. He sustained injuries on his hand. A vehicle belonging to Channels television and conveying about eleven (11) journalists which included TVC News Correspondent, Ibrahim Isah was vandalized. The journalists onboard were traumatized by the unfortunate incident.
“FCT, Abuja; Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was attacked and injured by Police officers who hit him with the butt of their gun and their batons and caused injuries to his head while covering the protest in Abuja.
Cameras belonging to journalists were also destroyed by Police officers. Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent was arrested and his mobile phone seized by Police officers.
“Mary Adeboye of News Central Television was also affected by tear gas thrown by Police officers while covering the protest in the FCT.
“Cross-River State; Hoodlums in Calabar, Cross River State, launched an attack on journalists, seriously injuring 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.
“Delta State; Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper and a Pointer reporter Lucy were attacked by anti-protest protesters who arrived the location of the protest and chased away protesters amidst security agencies. The journalists were taking pictures and conducting interviews when the allegedly pro-government protesters smashed their gadgets and attacked them”.
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.
“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”.
She called on all concerned security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
