Imo NUJ Blows Hot, Condemns Physical Attacks on Journalists …Demands Unreserved Apology From IMHA, NSCDC

ThankGod Emeh, OWERRI. 

The Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has condemned in its entirety the uncivilized and physical attacks on journalists and media practitioners in the state.

Imo NUJ while reacting to the unpalatable development through a swift press release issued and signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Chris Akaraonye and Secretary, Juliet Dim frowned at the unwarranted ways members of the union has been manhandled by well respected citizens with impunity in recent times.

According to the release,  “The attention of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Imo State Council has been drawn to the physical assault and beating of our members -Mr Ike Nwosu of the Eastern Lead Newspaper and Mr Ndubueze Nwokoma of the Newspoint Chapel recently”

“It was alleged that aides to the member representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon. Frank Ugboma manhandled and inflicted bodily injuries to Ike Nwosu at the House of Assembly complex over a news report that did not go down well with the lawmaker”

“Also, we have been briefed of the physical assault on Ndubueze Nwokeoma by a security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly parking his car in a wrong place”

In the foregoing,  the Leadership of NUJ Imo State Council categorically condemns any physical assault on journalists, especially members by security agents or overzealous aides of anybody no matter the level of provocation.

The Union advised the general public to exhibit a high level of civility in dealings with journalists in the state as its members are trained professionals bound with ethical conducts adding “That whoever is aggrieved as a result of a news report, should not take laws into his or her hands as the courts are there for them to seek redress”

The leadership and members of the NUJ in the State Council stressed that they will no longer tolerate any further attack on members and other media practitioners no matter the level of grievances, noting that the circumstances leading to these attacks which have increased of recent is being investigated.

“The public is warned to desist from attacking or intimidating journalists. Any more attack on journalists will attract the full wrath of the Union”

“That we condemn the action of the NSCDC operative who allegedly hit Ndubueze Nwokeoma with the butt of his rifle. The Imo public still remember with pains, the gruesome killing of a 2019 Senatorial Candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) Hon. Ndubuisi Emenike by a trigger happy operative of the NSCDC. We could only imagine what such unwarranted attack on an uunarmed journalist would have resulted to”

Imo NUJ charges the leadership of the NSCDC and Imo State House of Assembly to sit up in their relations with press men.

“In the interim, the leadership of the NSCDC and Imo State House of Assembly should take responsibility for the treatment of our colleagues while we seek for peaceful resolutions on the issues”

“We also demand an unreserved apology for the physical assaults on our members”

Imo NUJ reiterates its warning to the public that any person, in doubt of the integrity of any journalist or is aggrieved by any news report, should liaise with or report same to the NUJ leadership.

Meanwhile, Imo NUJ says it has commenced a process to re – validate journalists and members of the Union in the State.

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