IPC Condemns Attack on News Central Crew During #EndBadGovernance Protests
As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter their seventh day, the International Press Centre (IPC) has denounced the assault on News Central reporters and their cameraman by thugs at Freedom Park, Ojota. The attack occurred yesterday, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, while the crew was covering the ongoing protests.
In a press statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer at IPC Lagos, and made available to Northeast Star Magazine via email on Wednesday, the IPC detailed the incident and expressed grave concerns about press freedom and journalist safety.
According to information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room, there were police officers nearby who did not intervene when the thugs arrived and assaulted the press crew.
“The thugs, who were more than ten, attacked the crew of News Central Television, who had come to monitor the situation. When the News Central crew arrived, police directed them to leave the park.
They relocated to a distant location to continue their live broadcast. During the broadcast, the journalists were confronted by hoodlums wielding sticks and shovels. The thugs assaulted several reporters and forced them to flee,” reported the Daily Report.
The IPC’s Press Freedom Officer stated that this incident, along with others recorded since the nationwide protests began, raises significant concerns about the safety of journalists during protests and other societal events.
“We are calling on the security agencies, particularly the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State, CP Adegoke Fayoade, to fulfill his pledge to apprehend the thugs who assaulted the journalists and to interrogate the policemen who looked the other way while journalists were being attacked,” said Akinjiyan.
A report published on Pulse.ng revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. He mandated the investigating team to identify and prosecute the miscreants. This directive was given when the crew involved, led by News Central MD, Kayode Akintemi, submitted an official complaint letter at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
As the #EndBadGovernance protests continue, the IPC urges all stakeholders to ensure the protection of journalists and uphold press freedom. The centre remains committed to advocating for the safety and rights of journalists in Nigeria.
