The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, has condemned Saturday’s attack on its members invited to cover a coronation ceremony at Nkomoro community, in Ezza North Local government Area of Ebonyi State.
The journalists – Mr Uchenna Inya, The Sun Newspaper, Sir Godwin Oguta and Dr Chinelo Okoro, both of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki, were attacked by the hoodlums who blocked them as well as other guests who attended the coronation, on their way out of the community.
A Toyota Corolla belonging to lnya was also smashed by the hoodlums.
From credible accounts of the incident, the hoodlums were fully in the know of the identities of the journalists. Also the car conveying them had visible insignia that fully identified them as journalists.
A statement signed by the state Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Sampson Nwafor on Saturday, said the incident was another sad reminder of the danger being faced on a daily basis by journalists in the line of duty.
According to the statement, perpetrators of the act were among those opposed to the coronation.
But the Council wondered why they should take laws into their hands to the extent of attacking innocent journalists merely carrying out their constitutional duties.
The Council, therefore, called on security agencies as well as the state government to fish out and punish the perpetrators, to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This is very important, because the safety and security of journalists are very important for our fledging democracy to thrive.”
The Council informed members of the public that the work of journalists is in the public interest, and acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.
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