NUJ Condemns Assault, Arrest of AFP Journalist During Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest in Abuja
Editor
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 incident as “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles.”
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 NUJ demanded an immediate investigation into the incident and called on 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 read in part.
The union also urged the authorities to replace the journalist’s damaged camera and other work tools, stressing that such compensation would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on media professionals.
While noting that Okunyomih had since been released, the NUJ FCT 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.
“We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police to call his officers to order and be civil in dealing with journalists performing their statutory duty,” the statement concluded.
