Yemisi Izuora
The International Press Centre, Lagos, IPC Lagos has condemned the attack on the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun state council and some other journalists on Monday 16th of July, 2018.
In a statement, the IPC said, “Details from Nigerian Tribune has it that, “suspected hoodlums attacked some journalists at a press conference addressed by some members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).”
“The secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun state council, Mr. Bamigbola Boladale, was not spared in the ugly incident as he was terribly beaten by the rampaging thugs, who also tore his clothes to shreds”, the report said.
The Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in the statement described the attack as unacceptable. “This kind of act is not acceptable from any individual or group because journalists are not to be treated as animals. They deserve the right to perform their duties without fear or intimidation,” Arogundade said.
IPC therefore demands that the Commissioner of Police, for Osun State to immediately probe this assault, and take the necessary actions while the culprits should be made to face the consequences of their actions.
The IPC Director however cautioned journalists to ensure that that they are well guided and seek assurances of their safety in covering factional crisis of political parties.