The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has condemned in strong terms the arrest and assault of an Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist, Mr. John Okunyomih, by security operatives during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
Okunyomih was reportedly manhandled by armed soldiers and policemen who were deployed to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The incident occurred near the Unity Fountain, where the journalist’s professional camera and other work tools were allegedly damaged by the security agents.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Jide Oyekunle, described the action of the security operatives as “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles.”
“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.
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While acknowledging that the journalist had been released, the council demanded that his damaged camera and other equipment be replaced immediately, adding that such compensation would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on media professionals.
“We therefore call on the inspector-general of police to call his officers to order and ensure they are civil in dealing with journalists performing their statutory duty,” the statement added.
The NUJ FCT Council also reiterated its demand that security agencies respect the rights of journalists to freely cover public events without harassment, in accordance with the constitution and international press freedom standards.
