The journalists union in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Achike Chude, said that journalists who are covering the protest as required by their profession and backed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have been subjected to monstrous intimidation, harassment and seizures of both official and personal assets.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), has demanded an immediate end to intimidation and harassment of journalists covering the ongoing nationwide hunger protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria by Nigerian security agents and pro-government protesters.
The journalists union in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Achike Chude, said that journalists who are covering the protest as required by their profession and backed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have been subjected to monstrous intimidation, harassment and seizures of both official and personal assets.
Chude said, “Following a series of protests that rocked many parts of the country on Thursday and Friday, 1st and 2nd of August 2024, Nigerian journalists in their numbers went out as required by the demands of the profession to cover the events.
“Unfortunately, the hydra-headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassment and seizures of both official and personal assets of members of the press reared its ugly head once more. These acts were carried out by the state and non-state actors.
“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 behaviours by those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order.
“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.”
The NUJ said that in Lagos State, a journalist with News Central Television, Bernard Akede, was interrupted and barred from conducting live interviews by police officers and Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) officials.
In Calabar, Cross River State capital, hoodlums attacked journalists, leaving Nigerian Tribune reporter, Joseph Abasi-Abasi, with severe injuries.
“The assailants targeted a bus belonging to the NUJ, which was 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 a 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, a photojournalist with The PUNCH Newspaper, Olukayode Jayeola, 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.
Similarly, 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, and 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.
“These are just some of the incidents that have reached us.
“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 with a view to determine their value.
“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.
“Lastly, we call for a thorough investigation into these incidents, with a view to punishing the culprits.
“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.”