NUJ Slams Police for Assaulting Journalists, Demands Apology

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Council, on Tuesday, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Rivers State Police Command to tender an unreserved public apology over the assault on some journalists during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, the State Capital.

In a statement issued by the Council Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, and Secretary, Dr Ijeoma Tubosia, the NUJ condemned the actions of police officers involved, called for their immediate prosecution.

“The NUJ, as a watchdog of society, will not sit idly by while media practitioners are subjected to barbarism and brutality. Enough is enough,” the statement warned, noting that any further attack on journalists in the state would be vehemently resisted. The statement reads.

The union described the incident as barbaric and inhuman and described it as a gross violation of the rights of the affected journalists.

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Those assaulted include Soibelemari Oruwari of Nigeria Info, Ikezam Godswill of AIT, Allwell Ene of Naija FM, Femi Ogunkhilede of Super FM, and Charles Opurum of Channels TV.

The journalists were tear-gassed while covering the protest, with Opurum beaten and detained by security operatives.

The Union cautioned the police not to jeopardise the existing relationship between the police and the media.