The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the unlawful arrest and assault of Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist, Mr. John Okunyomih, by security operatives during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, described the incident as “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles.”
According to reports, another journalist, Mr. Tony Ailemen of BusinessDay newspaper, also suffered losses when a police officer allegedly fired a teargas canister directly at his car, shattering the rear windshield.
“They destroyed the back shield of my car. They actually fired teargas directly at my car,” Ailemen lamented in a message shared on the official NUJ platform.
Okunyomih was reportedly manhandled by armed soldiers and policemen deployed to disperse protesters demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. His professional camera and other work equipment were also destroyed during the attack near the Unity Fountain.
The NUJ FCT Council has demanded an immediate investigation into the assault, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Dantawaye Miller, to identify and sanction the officers involved.
“The harassment of journalists performing their legitimate duty is unacceptable. Security agents must be reminded that journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in nation-building,” the Council stated.
The union also urged authorities to replace the damaged camera and equipment, stressing that such compensation would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on media professionals.
While confirming that Okunyomih has since been released, the Council maintained that the damaged tools of work must be replaced immediately, urging the police hierarchy to call erring officers to order and uphold civility in their dealings with journalists.
The NUJ reaffirmed its demand for security agencies to respect journalists’ rights to cover public events freely, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and international press freedom standards.
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