Police Batter The Tide Journalist

A journalist, Mr Enoch Epelle, working with Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publisher of The Tide Newspaper, yesterday got the beating of his life by more than 10 policemen for doing his official duties.
The incident which occurred around Government House junction at about 10am, when the reporter, tried to take a look at a man the security men were dragging on the ground.
“ As I was watching the incident, my phone rang, and I was answering when the security men surged towards me, snatched my two cell phones from me, searched and collected all the money on me before beating me up,” he said.
Mr Epelle said he was dragged to Government House Police Custody, where he was further tortured.
In custody, one of the police men accused him of trying to take video tape of the incident with his cell phone.
According to them, the man in question was spotted inside a cab, dressing like a woman, while a child of about one year-old was with him.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Tide Chapel has condemned the act, describing it as a slight on the freedom of the press.
The union called on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter, and tender apology to the reporter, promising to report the matter to the state council for necessary actions.