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Sodiq Mojibola
The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos expressed concern over reports of attacks on journalists and media professionals covering the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers States.
The Journalists’ Election Day Safety Alert Desk confirmed that AIT reporters and cameramen, including Henrietta Oke, Amarachi Amushie, and Nkiru Nwokedi, were prevented from covering the elections by political thugs and hoodlums in some polling units in Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye, and Amuwo Odofin local government areas.
Nwokedi temporarily lost her phone, which was recovered with the help of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) men, while Amushie’s camera was damaged, and the cameraman was beaten in the presence of a political chieftain.
The Alert Desk also reported that an Arise TV News crew comprising Reporter Oba Adeoye, Cameraman Opeyemi Adenihun, and driver Yusuf Hassan was attacked while covering voting in the Elegushi area of Lagos by “overzealous police officers” despite providing proof of identity.
IPC strongly condemned these unacceptable attacks, which violated the fundamental rights of the affected journalists and media workers and constituted a major assault on press freedom.
The Press Freedom and Safety Alert Desk Officer of IPC, Melody Lawal, said in a statement that following the attacks on journalists during the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, they had called on the Police, Political Parties and all concerned to take measures to protect journalists.
Lawal stressed that it was worrisome that such attacks have been repeated.
She, therefore, charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the various attacks and ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their illegal actions.
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