The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed journalists to stop covering any activity in Ezza North local government area of the state following the unwarranted attack on three journalists who were in the LGA to carry out their official duties.
It would be recalled that armed youths of Nkomoro community in the local government area attacked Mr. Inya Uchenna of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki during the coronation of the traditional ruler of the community which later turned violent.
The Council said the order will not be lifted until the local government authority compensates the three Journalists for the losses they suffered during the attack, and tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ.
The directive was contained in a communique issued and signed by the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor and Secretary, Mr. Nnamdi Akpa after an emergency Congress meeting of the union.
The Council condemned in its entirety the dastardly act perpetrated by some members of the community, and called on the State Government and the Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
“Congress condemns in its strongest terms, the attack on three members of the Union, Mr. Inya Uchenna of The Sun newspaper, Dr. Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki, at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, by suspected hoodlums during a coronation event in the area.
“Congress describes the attack as not just crude and barbaric, but a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue and force Journalists into self censorship.
“Congress strongly bemoans the unconcerned attitude of the People of Nkomoro Community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathise with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident.
“Congress views this total lack of empathy by the people of Nkomoro Community to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.
“Congress therefore, directs Members of NUJ in Ebonyi State to henceforth desist from covering events in Ezza North LGA, pending when relevant authorities and stakeholders of the Council Area prevail on the people of Nkomoro Community or better still, the perpetrators of this dastardly act to adequately compensate the victims for their losses,” the communique reads.
