Godwin Udoh
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has placed a ban on the coverage of all police activities in the state over the unwarranted attack and brutalisation of Vanguard Correspondent, Akpokona Omafuaire, while on official duty.
The statement was signed by Council Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Comrade Patrick Ochei respectively, saying, we are sombre that the police could be insensitive to the plight of our member who is lying at the hospital yet without any care and attention from those who inflicted the injury on him.
The Council is taken aback by the indifferent disposition of police in Delta State as many journalists have one story or the other to tell about their experiences in the hands of those who are supposed to protect them since the #ENDSARS protest began.
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Report as it that, on 23rd October 2020, Vanguard correspondent was on his way to an official assignment during the 48 hours curfew imposed by the Delta State Government.
“Overzealous police officers at Oviwian-Aladja police station, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State buttered Akpokona Omafuaire cutting and whipping him with cutlass and built of gun.”
The state council stressed that, Akpokona’s case is one of the numerous issues the Council has recorded in the past few months and can no longer fold her hands and watch endlessly her members being molested, beaten, harassed, brutalised, intimidated and detained.
“Right now we are calling on our members in the Council to stop attending police press briefings, stop using their press releases, stop covering their activities or taking interviews from them henceforth. We are in support of the victim seeking redress in court and we will join him to get justice.”
The PPRO whose office it is to coordinate police relationship with the media has shown disdain and no concern to the frequent harassment, intimidation and brutalisation of journalists in the State.
“It is on this note that we are calling first for the removal of the DPO of Owvian Aladja Police Division for gross incompetence and then the police hierarchy should fish out Sergeant Godspower and his cohorts for appropriate sanction.
“We will maintain working synergy and cordial relationship with the Police Command in the State if they are ready to; however, we are not ready to bury any of our members who would die from police brutality before the Police would learn how to deal with journalists.
“We reiterate that the ban on coverage of police activities takes immediate effect and any member of the Union who flouts this order will face disciplinary action from the Council. A stitch in time saves nine.”