El-Rufai wants perpetrators arrested
By AbdulRaheem Aodu Kaduna Heavily armed ‘sponsored’ political thugs forced their way into the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna state council secretariat yesterday and freely attacked journalists covering a press briefi ng by some All Progressives Congress chieftains. Th e thugs injured some journalists, while destroying cars and equipment within the premises. Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state has condemned the attack, assuring that the perpetrators would be brought to book, while the national secretariat of the council described Kaduna as the most dangerous place for journalists to work. Numbering over 100, the thugs were fi rst seen milling around the secretariat ahead of the press briefi ng, but kept at bay by the police before the commencement of the briefi ng. Th e briefi ng which started after mid-day, was about to be concluded when they broke all the barriers, overpowered the police and moved into the courtyard, where the briefi ng was taking place.
Th e thugs headed for the journalists and APC chieftains, throwing chairs, tables and other weapons following which they attacked and broke the head of Liberty TV cameraman, still and video cameras, iPads, phones and plastic chairs and tables. Two of the thugs were later arrested at the venue of the attack and handed over to the police. Th e press conference was being addressed by APC Akida, led by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi who represents Kaduna North senatorial district and Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, serving members of House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Usman representing Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency, Hon Hassan Shekarau, representing Benin Gwari Federal Constituency and Hon. Musa Soba, who represents Soba Federal Constituency.
Others were APC gubernatorial aspirants, Hon Isah Ashiru and Alhaji Haruna Saeed Kajuru, Chairman of Liberty Radio and Television, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramallan, Alhaji Yaro Makama and Amb. Sule Buba among others. Prior to the press briefi ng, the thugs who had started the trouble and wanted to force their way in, and caused Senator Sani to come in through an improvised route. Arriving the scene of the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, said the police would investigate and make known its fi ndings, including punishing those found responsible for the heinous acts. El-Rufa’i Meanwhile, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has condemned the attack, saying nobody would be allowed to stifl e freedom of expression.
“Th e government condemned the mob action by hoodlums at the premises of the NUJ on Sunday. Having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with Th e NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums. Th e governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. “Th e governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty.” In a statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, the governor said, “the media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. T
h e government of Kaduna state upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression. Politics should not be a desperate game, and desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen.” Aruwan added that the state government would not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
