Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, has decried the spate of assault on its members by security agents and personnel of uniformed organisations.
The Council in a press statement, yesterday, said plans were underway to hold a protest to demand for the respect and protection of journalists’ right to and access to information and dissemination of same.
The statement signed by Secretary of the Council, Rafat Salami, said the attack, which was becoming alarming, appeared to be a deliberate attempt to “undermine the journalism profession, demean journalists, and intimidate us into silence.”
Specifically, she said, “The attack, assault and brutalisation of the Managing Editor, Daily Times Newspapers, Mr. Bonaventure Melah, on Tuesday, May 22, by officers of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), while policemen watched and did nothing to help the journalist, showed that security agencies have a clandestine agenda of humiliating journalists and they are united in the perpetration of crimes against journalists.”
According to her, “Melah was carrying out his legitimate duty, covering a fracas between the officers of the VIO and Taxi drivers in Maitama, which caused serious breach of public peace.
“The VIO on sighting his camera, pounced on him, ceased and smashed his IPAD, with which he was recording VIO’s impunity against taxi drivers, beat him up as well as tore his clothes, just for doing his job.”
The secretary further stated that: “The NUJ therefore condemns this and previous attacks and calls on government to halt the continuing impunity for crimes against journalists. While we call on government to investigate and bring the officers to book, the NUJ shall pursue this case to the full extent of the law.
“We also demand the immediate resignation or sack of Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Wadata Bodinga, for refusing to begin investigation into the incident days, after it was reported to them.
“We have had enough, we shall not tolerate any other attack on journalists and the FCT shall hold a protest to raise global awareness on the dangers journalists face in the execution of our job.
“All journalists are hereby put on notice that within the next few days, we shall hold a protest to demand for the respect and protection of our right to and access to information and dissemination of same.”
