The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has spoken against the intimidation and harassment of journalists by state and non-state agents in the course of the nationwide protests against President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
The union said in a statement on Sunday by its National Secretary, Achike Chude, that such acts are condemnable as journalists exercise their constitutional rights in covering the protests.
“Following the series of protests that rocked many parts of the country on Thursday and Friday the 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,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, the hydra headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassments and siezures of both official and personal assets of members of the press reared its ugly head once more. These acts were carried out by both state and non-state actors. This sordid and unnaceptable 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 these 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 with the society with a view to informing, enlightening and educating the citizens for the purpose of promoting the public good.”
The NUJ listed cases of intimidation and harassments of journalists across the various theatres of protest activities in 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, 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.
“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 spontaneous protest by other journalists.
“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.
“In Kano, Ibrahim Isah of TVC News was physically attacked by armed hoodlums, sustaining hand injuries.
“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.
“Jonathan Ugbal of Cross River Watch was arrested, beaten, and detained by police in Calabar before being released.
“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.
“9 Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested at RNI offices in Maiduguri as they were reporting on the protests.
The NUJ demanded apology from the various state institutions that were involved in the maltreatment of journalists.
“We are currently investigating this unwholesome and troublesome assault on the profession, and are compiling a list of official and personal assets of journalists that were either lost, siezed, or damaged with a view to determine their value. We expect nothing less than a public apology from the institutions responsible as well as the replacement of the lost or damaged assets of the journalists.
“Lastly, we call for a thorough investigation into these incidences with a view to punishing the culprits,” Chude said.
