Okrika Attack: NUJ Threatens Boycott Of Political Events

The leadership of the Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has reserved Thursday next week for final decision on the possible line of action concerning several attacks on journalists in the state.
At a press briefing by the NUJ Chairman, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, the union condemned attacks on harmless and law-abiding journalists carrying out their lawful duties.
Dokubo said last Tuesday; electoral violence took its ugly twist in Okrika where politically motivated mayhem was unleashed at the APC governorship campaign rally.
According to him, by the time the dust of terror settled, at least, one police officer was confirmed dead while several others sustained various degrees of injury, adding that among the injured were journalists carrying out their legitimate duties.
He said of particular note in this regard is the Channels Television Reporter, Mr. Charles Erukaa, who had a bottle broken on his head and the same weapon used to stab him in the neck.
The chairman explained that of all the dead and injured, it is only the hapless reporter that was directly attacked for no other reason than for being a journalist.
The union condemned the sordid act, adding “we would like to take exception to the situation where journalists are deliberately targeted for harm”.
He noted that the incident at Okrika was only the latest in a string of unresolved politically-induced acts of violence in the state, a few of which include reported gun attacks on APC members on their way to a political rally from the Kalabari and Ogoni axis.
Dokubo said the entourage of the governorship candidate of the PDP was reportedly attacked by gunmen in Abua, and therefore, called on the security agencies to leave nothing to chance in their effort to provide an atmosphere conductive for free, fair and credible elections on March 28 and April  11, 2015.
The NUJ Chairman urged political parties and politicians to take responsibility in stemming the orgy of violence that is threatening not just the forthcoming elections but the survival of the country’s democracy.
He, however, said journalists will continue to carry out their lawful duties for the peace and development of the state and the nation, provided the safety and security of their members are guaranteed.

Felix Okogbule