Osogbo – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Osun State Council has condemned the attack on its members by irate youths during a protest in Ilesha on Monday.
Nigeria Union of Journalist [NUJ} Lagos Branch at the Workers Day celebration held at Onikan Stadium, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez
Mr Kehinde Ayantunji, the State Chairman of NUJ in a statement in Osogbo described the attack as uncivilised and barbaric.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths, during the violent protest over disruption of electricity in Ilesha , attacked journalists who went to cover the protest.
Mr Rafiu Muhammad of TV Continental and his cameraman, Taiwo Adu, as well as Channels TV reporter, Shittu Abdulfatai and his camera man, Kabir Kabir, were attacked while their cameras were also destroyed.
The journalists are currently receiving treatments at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.
NAN further reports that some youths from Olomilagba and Bolorunduro communities in Obokun Local Government Area of the state were said to have stormed the Ilesha Office of IBEDC on March 14, protesting against what they described as ‘ crazy bills ‘.
During the protest, the IBEDC management said the protesters attacked their staff and made away with unspecified amount of money.
As a result, IBEDC disconnected electricity supply to the communities, a development which led to the violent protest.
Ayantunji said the union would do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
He said that the affected journalists could have lost their lives, if not for the timely intervention of some good samaritans, who promptly came to their rescue.
“We are shocked and seriously disturbed by the ruthless attack on four of our members today in Ilesa.
“We considered such attacks as bestial , barbaric, uncivilised and a declaration of war against journalists who were performing their constitutional responsibility.
“It is indeed regrettable that those who were striving hard to ensure that the legitimate grievance of the people are brought to the attention of concerned authorities suddenly became subject of attack.
“The attack was so brutal to the extent that Taiwo Adu of TVC and Kadir Kabir of Channels could not stand on their feet as at the time of issuing this release.
“They were callously hit with bottle and various dangerous objects and held captive for about an hour with serious humiliation.
“They are currently on admission at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospitals, Osogbo. Their cameras and other gadgets worth millions of naira were completely destroyed.
“While we recognise right of protest as a fundamental right, it must not be allowed to degenerate to the level of being hijacked by hoodlums.
“We are calling on security agencies to swing into action and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book without delay,” Ayantunji said.
When contacted , DSP Folashade Odoro, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) told NAN that policemen had already been mobilised to the town to ensure safety of lives and properties.
Odoro noted that police were on top of the situation and appealed to the residents of the communities to go about their lawful duties without any fear of intimidation. (NAN)