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#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: NUJ Condemns Attacks On Journalists, Says Intimidation Must Stop
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the harassment and intimidation of journalists covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protests.
The union stated that these acts were carried out by both “state and non-state actors.”
This was disclosed in a statement by the NUJ’s National Secretary, Achike Chude, yesterday.
The statement assured that despite these condemnable acts, “journalists will neither be cowed nor deterred from carrying out their responsibilities of engaging with society to inform, enlighten, and educate citizens to promote the public good.”
The statement read in part, “Following the series of protests that rocked many parts of the country on Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2, 2024, Nigerian journalists went out in their numbers as required by the demands of the profession to cover the events.
“Unfortunately, the hydra-headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassment, and the seizure 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 unacceptable state of affairs, especially those perpetrated by state actors, is occurring despite various conscious efforts by the NUJ to engage government officials and security forces to address these anti-democratic behaviours by those responsible for maintaining law and order.”
Among the recorded incidents of journalists’ intimidation and harassment across the country, the NUJ lamented that in Lagos State, a journalist with News Central Television, Bernard Akede, was “interrupted and barred from conducting live interviews by police officers and LCC officials.”
NUJ noted that 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 that 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 a 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.”
The statement also added that another journalist with TVC News in Kano State, Ibrahim Isah, 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.
“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,” causing injuries to his head while covering the protest.
Mohammed’s cameras were also destroyed by the police officers.
Another journalist, Jonathan Ugbal of Cross River Watch, was “arrested, beaten, and detained by police in Calabar before being released.”
The statement added that “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.”
Furthermore, nine staff members of Radio Ndarason Internationale were “arrested at RNI offices in Maiduguri while reporting on the protests,” among others.
The union called for a thorough investigation into these incidents while it continues to compile “a list of official and personal assets of journalists that were either lost, seized, or damaged 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.”
“Nigeria is supposed to be a country of law and order. We expect no less in terms of professional conduct from officials who are maintained with state resources,” the statement concluded.
The planned 10-day protests, scheduled to be held from August 1-10, 2024, seek to address the high cost of governance, the high cost of living for citizens, and rising food prices, among other issues.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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