By: Barikui Felix.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has frowned at the inhuman treatment doled out to some of its members by men of the State Police Command.
The Union described the assault on Charles Opurum of Channels Television, Allwell Ene of Naija FM, Soibelemari Oruwari of Nigeria/Info, Ikezam Godswill of AIT, and Femi Ogunkhilede of Super FM as unprovoked, barbaric, inhuman and a violation of their rights.
The four members of the NUJ were tear-gassed by the Police while carrying out their legitimate duties of carrying a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt. Moreover, Mr Opurum was also arrested and detained for a period of time by the security agents.
Rivers NUJ in a statement signed by its chairman, Paul Bazia, and Secretary, Ijeoma Tubosia regrets that a security agency paid to protect lives and property could turn itself into a monster terrorising innocent citizens, particularly Journalists in the State.
Therefore, the NUJ demands an unreserved apology from the Rivers State Police Command within 14 days for the assault of the journalists, or it risks having its activities boycotted by journalists in the State.
The Council also demands that all the officials involved in the condemnable act be brought to book.
The Council further warns that the NUJ will vehemently resist any further assault on journalists in the State.
“NUJ as a watchdog of the society will not fold its arms and watch any arm of security agencies in the State descend to barbarism and brutalisation of innocent citizens, let alone media practitioners. Enough is enough,”
However, NUJ said it shall remain partners in the onerous task of contributing to the development of our country, expressing the belief that the police should not soil the subsisting relationship and partnership between them and journalists in Rivers State.
The union appealed to its members to be calm, expressing the belief that police authorities would look decisively into the matter.
