Journalists protest assault on colleague

Journalists in Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to the Government House in Uyo, to express their grievances over the alleged maltreatment of The Nation newspapers correspondent, Mr. Kazeem Ibrahym, by some State Security Service personnel.
The journalists carried placards with inscriptions like ‘SSS is a threat to press freedom in Akwa Ibom State;’ ‘Security operatives stop oppressing journalists’; ‘Journalists are not punching bags, SSS note;’ ‘Brutality of harmless journalists in Akwa Ibom State must stop;’ ‘Brutality: Journalists in Akwa Ibom State say enough is enough.’
State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr. Joe Effiong, said incessant harassment of journalists by security agencies must stop.
He said, “Two days ago when Governor Godswill Akpabio had his birthday, we were very happy to come and cover the event; then one of us, Mr. Kazeem Ibrahym of The Nation, was beaten because he wanted to get into the Banquet Hall to cover the event.
“This ugly act has continued unabated for a long time now. It happened during the state government/Nigeria Labour Congress stakeholders meeting, the Guild of Editors of Nigeria’s Conference and the last presidential visit. The security operatives take delight in barring journalists from venues of state events.
“The culmination of this irresponsible acts was the brutal assault on our member, Mr. Ibrahym, by operatives of the SSS, namely Charles Anyanwu and Shola Aguda on December 9, 2012 at the Banquet Hall grounds, Government House, Uyo, venue of the thanksgiving service to mark the governor’s 50th birthday.
“We consider the latest incident as one too many and seriously frown on the over-zealousness exhibited by some security operatives at state events.”
The NUJ asked the state government to caution the security operatives in the state and prosecute those who attacked the journalist.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, who received the journalists, regretted the actions of the security operatives and assured the journalists that the matter would be resolved.
He said, “I want to on behalf of the government of Akwa Ibom State apologise to you all for whatever infractions that must have taken place at the Banquet Hall on Sunday.
“We received reports from the state chairman of the NUJ and others. The matter was also properly reported to the state Director of SSS. We will ensure that he takes appropriate action by investigating and dealing with the matter in their own way.”

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