In a statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press, Freedom Officer at the International Press Centre IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, the organisation condemned in strong terms the reported attacks on journalists.
The journalists were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja on Monday when they came under assault by security operatives.
The protest, coordinated by activist Omoyele Sowore, called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,Nnamdi Kanu. However, journalists on the ground were allegedly assaulted, arrested, and had their equipment seized by security operatives.
The IPC’s Safety and Protection of Journalists Hub described the incident as a grave assault on press freedom and an alarming repetition of past abuses against journalists in Nigeria.
Among those affected were members of the Business Day media crew — Tony Ailemen, Tunde Adeniyi, Ladi Patrick-Okwoli, and Michael Godwin — who narrowly escaped death when the police fired teargas directly at their vehicle while conducting street interviews during the protest. The impact shattered their windshield and left them traumatised.
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Similarly, two Agence France Presse journalists, John Okunyomih and Nicholas Roll, were arrested by police operatives after being tear-gassed. Their phones, cameras, and other professional equipment were seized during the operation.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, described the attacks as a “disturbing recurrence of history,” stressing that journalists performing legitimate duties must never be subjected to harassment or violence.
He emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right of journalists to report on public activities, including protests, without fear of intimidation or harm.
Arogundade called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to investigate the incidents and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
He reaffirmed IPC’s commitment to defending press freedom and protecting journalists from all forms of abuse while urging media practitioners not to be discouraged by such attacks.
Crediblenewsng.com
