The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, programme, has expressed grave concern over the alleged police brutality against Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ.
According to IPC-SPJ Hub, Ojukwu was physically and mentally assaulted by police officers at the Ikeja Police Command, Lagos, while visiting the Complaints Response Unit, CRU, to obtain details about policemen accused of extorting money from detainees.
During the incident, Ojukwu’s eyeglasses were smashed, his wristwatch was forcefully taken off, his phone was damaged, and he sustained injuries to his body.
The IPC-SPJ Hub has therefore urged the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, to fulfill his pledge to review CCTV footage of the assault and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
It demanded that the police put measures in place to compensate Ojukwu for what it described as an inhumane attack.
In a statement, IPC emphasised:
“The police must take swift and adequate steps to bring to justice those who assaulted the journalist, while also instituting reforms that guarantee respect and protection for journalists.
“Officers must constantly be reminded that their primary duty is the protection of citizens, including journalists and every other civilian.”
In a related development, the IPC-SPJ Hub condemned the treatment of an editor with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and former President of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Mrs Ladi Bala, during an altercation with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Kayode Opeifa.
Bala reported that she was verbally abused and threatened by Opeifa while covering the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment incident.
Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, stressed the need for public officials to understand the crucial role journalists play during emergencies.
“Emergency situations will always arise, and journalists have a duty to seek credible information in the public interest. Public officials and security agencies must cooperate with them, explain security concerns with patience, and avoid remarks or actions that could be interpreted as threats,” he said.
Meanwhile, Opeifa has apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Council, following the incident. He rendered the apology during a media briefing at the NUJ Secretariat in Abuja, acknowledging that his conduct was unacceptable.
“I regret the remarks I made in the heat of the moment. I sincerely apologise to Mrs Ladi Bala, the NUJ FCT Council, and NAWOJ for my actions,” Opeifa said.
The NUJ had earlier demanded a public apology over the incident.
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