Opu-Nembe: Hoodlums Attack 6 Journalists, Seize Cameras, Phones

At least six journalists working with Television Continental (TVC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Daar Communications (AIT) and the SUN Newspaper, were on Monday attacked by suspected hoodlums at Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State.

The attack allegedly took place at about 5pm after the journalists had gone to the community for on-the-spot assessment following the insecurity situation recently reported in Nembe when they were ambushed by hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons.

The journalists include Mr Joseph Kunde of TVC and his cameraman, Mr Bina Miebi, Mr Awe Baratuapere of NTA and his cameraman, Mr Ayebakuro Egein, Mrs Iniyekenime Doctor Bruce of Daar Communications and Mr Femi Folaranmi of The Sun.

Their personal belongings and work equipment including cameras, smart phones, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, wrist watches and cash were collected by the hoodlums.

It was observed that the journalists were being taken around to see properties of some exiled chiefs destroyed by some youths of the community before the deployment of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) by the inspector-general of police.

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Trouble however began when the team was at the last destroyed building belonging to the regent and boys armed with sophisticated arms and dangerous weapons appeared from all corners.

In the ensuing commotion, the team scampered for safety taking refuge in some houses while others kept running to the Police base.

It took the gallant efforts of the policemen led by the unit commander, Mr Silas to engage the hoodlums in a shoot-out. While Mr Baratuapere and Mr Folaranmi made it to the Police base, the rest were trapped in the community.

Silas led a team of policemen to rescue Mr Kunde and brought him to the Police base but his cameraman, Mr Miebi was not so lucky.

When he came out of hiding, he ran into the hands of the hoodlums who after identifying him as TVC cameraman, took turns to beat him and confiscated his camera and phones. He was stripped of his dress which was used to tie his hands behind his back and legs.

It was gathered that after hours of brainstorming with other operatives, Mr Silas went back into the community and engaged in a gun duel with the hoodlums to rescue Mr Miebi. Another detachment was at the bridge outside the community to engage another set of hoodlums who had laid siege there.

Mrs Iniyekenime who had been stripped of her camera and phones by those who hid her in exchange for her life as the hoodlums were searching for the journalists was later helped to escape to the nearby Ogbolomabiri where the police team led by Mr Silas rescued and brought her to the police base.

The owner of the house where the NTA cameraman, Mr Egein took refuge told the police team that Egein was safe but insisted that he won’t divulge the location because of fear that the hoodlums would attack him afterwards.

According to Awe Baratuapere who spoke to LEADERSHIP, it was around 3am that they arrived at Yenagoa after Mr. Silas with six Hilux vans loaded with armed policemen escorted them out of the community at about 12:30am.

Meanwhile, Egein, the only journalist who was left behind has also returned to Yenagoa while the policemen have intensified efforts to recover the cameras.