NUJ Petitions Police, DSS Over Attack on Journalists in Ebonyi State

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has lodged a petition with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) following an attack on its members in Nkomoro, Ezza North Local Government Area.

The incident occurred on Saturday, June 15, 2024, during a coronation ceremony in the community.

The journalists, Mr. Inya Uchenna of The Sun newspaper, Chinelo Okoro, and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN Unity FM, Abakaliki, were invited to cover the event when they were attacked by hoodlums.

The petition, titled “UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS AT NKOMORO COMMUNITY, IN EZZA NORTH LGA, EBONYI STATE,” was signed by the NUJ Council Chairman, Sampson Nwafor, and Secretary, Nnamdi Akpa.

According to the petition, the crisis erupted during the ceremony, allegedly instigated by a group opposed to the coronation.

The attack was reportedly led by Oscar Nwafor and his associates, including Samuel Nnoko, Livinus Eze, Obiora Ezaka, Cletus Igwe, and Joseph Oganyi.

The petition stated that rather than targeting those they had disputes with, the assailants attacked journalists who were impartially covering all interest groups involved in the coronation controversy.

“From credible accounts of the incident, the perpetrators of this dastardly act are fully aware of the identities of these journalists.

Moreover, the car conveying them had visible insignia identifying them as journalists, yet they went ahead to unleash the attack on them,” the petition read.

“The vehicle of Mr. Inya Uchenna was badly damaged by these hoodlums even as they escaped death by whiskers.

This, to say the least, is another sad reminder of the danger being faced daily by journalists in the line of duty.”

The NUJ also criticized the Nkomoro Community stakeholders for their lack of empathy, noting that more than four days after the incident, they had yet to sympathize with the victims.

The union viewed this as a sign that the attack was deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.

The NUJ made several demands in their petition:
1. The Ebonyi State Police Command should identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack.
2. The perpetrators should be compelled to compensate the three journalists for the damages caused, and issue a written apology to both the victims and the NUJ.
3. Oscar Nwafor and his associates should provide a written undertaking that they will be held responsible if any harm befalls the three journalists.
4. The police should take any additional necessary actions to ensure the perpetrators are punished, serving as a deterrent to others.

The union emphasized the importance of these measures, particularly as the attackers continued to threaten Mr. Inya Uchenna.

The NUJ urged the authorities to act swiftly to protect journalists fulfilling their constitutional duties.