The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has decried the wanton attacks on its members and media houses as the EndSARS protests intensify, noting that it was undesired.
It is no longer news that media firms across the country have been subjected to a chain of unending attacks in the wake of the Lekki Massacre on the night of Tuesday.
Recall that barely 24 hours after a group of alleged military officers opened fire on unarmed protesters who kept vigil at the Lekki tollgate over their unmet demands, TV continental was raided by some suspected hoodlums.
Thus, series of other assaults have occurred subsequently in other states, as the recent attempt on Vanguard’s correspondent, Mr. Akpokona Omafuaire by policemen in Warri led to a fire alarm.
The Council’s Chairman and the Secretary, Comrades Michael Ikeogwu and Patrick Ochei, in a statement jointly signed, condemned the assault, insisting that it was uncalled for.
The Statement called on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa to immediately fish out the policemen involved in the molestation of the journalist.
Thus, the statement read, “Journalists should not be objects of attacks by the police while carrying out their legitimate functions.
“The #EndSARS protesters are attacking journalists and media houses and at the same time the police are assaulting us. Where do we run to?
“We insist that the Police Commissioner must fish out Sergeant Godspower and other accomplices in this show of extreme power, otherwise we will sever ties with the police in the State.”
Omafuaire, had claimed that one of the policemen (Sergeant Godspower) hacked his back with a machete to further display his anger over a perceived tie between the journalists and #EndSARS protesters before they went on to wreck his car.
