The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos State, has called on the Commissioner of Police in the state, to fulfill his pledge to go after the thugs who assaulted journalists and also interrogate the policemen who looked the other way.

 


SaharaReporters had reported that armed hoodlums who claimed to be supporters of the President Bola Tinubu’s government on Tuesday harrased and assaulted journalists concerning the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in Lagos State.

 

 

In a video clip seen by SaharaReporters, the thugs were armed with planks and shovels, and they were forcefully chasing away journalists and media personnel at the protest venue in the Ojota area of Lagos State. 

 

 

However, Melody Akinjiyan, the Press Freedom Officer, IPC, in a statement signed on Wednesday condemned in totality the assault on News Central reporters. 

 

 

The statement reads in part; "As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter the seventh day, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, condemns in totality the assault on News Central reporters and cameramen by thugs at the Freedom Park, Ojota while reporting the protests on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

 

 

"Information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that there were a handful of policemen nearby but they did not lift a finger to stop them when the thugs arrived and assaulted the press crew.

 

 

“The thugs who were more than 10 attacked the crew of News Central Television, who went to the venue to monitor the situation. When the News Central crew arrived, police directed them to leave the park. They relocated to a distant location to continue their live broadcast. During the broadcast, the journalists were confronted by the hoodlums’ wielding sticks and shovels. The thugs assaulted several reporters and forced them to flee. 

 

 

The Press Freedom Officer, IPC said this incident and many others recorded since the nationwide protests started raises concerns about press freedom and safety of journalists during protests and coverage of societal events. 

 

 

"Report stated that, the Commissioner of Police @LagosPoliceNG, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered an immediate investigation into this incident. 

 

"He mandated the investigating team to fish out the miscreants and ensure their prosecution accordingly. He gave this directive yesterday when the crew involved, led by News Central MD, @KayodeAkintemi, submitted an official complaint letter at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

 

 

"IPC is therefore again calling on the security agencies, in particular the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State, to fulfill his pledge to go after the thugs who assaulted the journalists and interrogate the policemen who looked the other way while journalists were being attacked.