The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has strongly condemned the unlawful arrest and assault of an Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist, Mr. John Okunyomih, by security operatives during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, described the arrest and harassment of the journalist as “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles.”
- Thieves steal French crown jewels from Louvre in daytime raid
- Spurs humbled at home again as Villa hit back
Okunyomih was reportedly manhandled by armed soldiers and policemen deployed to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. His professional camera and other equipment were also damaged while he was covering the protest near the Unity Fountain.
The statement called for an immediate investigation into the incident and urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Dantawaye Miller, to identify and sanction the officers responsible for the assault.
“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 statement said.
The NUJ also demanded the replacement of the journalist’s damaged camera and other work tools, noting that such compensation would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on media professionals.
The Council reiterated its call on security agencies to respect the rights of journalists to freely cover public events without intimidation, in line with constitutional guarantees and international press freedom standards.
“While we acknowledge that he has been released, we demand that his camera and other gadgets, which were damaged by the gun-toting policemen, be replaced immediately.
“We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police to call his officers to order and ensure civility in dealing with journalists performing their statutory duties,” the statement added.
