By Abdoulaye Kay
From the situation report released by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos has revealed that the Police, and hoodlums, on Sunday, attacked 10 journalists and other media professionals during the first day of the nationwide hunger protest by groups demanding an end to hardship-inducing economic policies.
The IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that a number of journalists and media professionals faced various forms of attacks, including physical assault, harassment, and denial of access to cover the protest. Some of the affected journalists 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:
In 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.
In Kano state, Ibrahim Isah, a TVC News Correspondent, was physically assaulted by hoodlums wielding weapons while covering the protest in Kano. He sustained injuries to his hand.
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Additionally, a vehicle belonging to Channels Television and carrying about eleven journalists, including Ibrahim Isah, was vandalized. The journalists onboard were traumatized by the unfortunate incident.
In the Federal Capital Terriroty, Abuja, Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was attacked and injured by police officers who hit him with the butt of their guns and batons, causing injuries to his head while covering the protest in Abuja. Police officers also destroyed cameras belonging to journalists.
Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent, was arrested, and police officers seized his mobile phone. Mary Adeboye of News Central Television was affected by tear gas thrown by police officers while covering the protest.
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.
In Delta state, Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper, and a Pointer reporter named Lucy were attacked by anti-protest protesters who arrived at 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.
Melody Akinjiyan, the Press Freedom Officer of IPC, 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,” she said.
Akinjiyan emphasized that “The rights of journalists to cover and report protests and other societal activities as guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian 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.
Hunger protest
IPC
Journalists
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