From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council has condemned an attack on the Head of News and Current Affairs, Breeze FM, Lafia, Mr Edwin Philip by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) while covering governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state.
The Voice reports that Philip was beaten by NSCDC personnel while reporting election proceeding live to his station, Breeze FM’s situation room on Saturday in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Council’s secretary, Mr Sunday John, said the attack on the innocent journalist who was performing his constitutional and legitimate role in an election was uncalled for, barbaric and unfortunate.
“The union is very disturbed because this re-enactment of our unsavory experience is a negative development for our democracy and it is our conviction that Edwin Philip has been performing his duty in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and professional ethics.
“We wish to call on the Commandant of NSCDC in the State Command, to investigate the infringement of fundamental Human Rights of the journalists and punish the personnel involved to serve as deterrent to others.
“In a democracy, no matter how flawed, it is the duty of NSCDC to protect lives and property of every citizen, especially journalists and all media workers like Edwin Philip,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Public Relation Officer of NSCDC in the state, Mr Victor Jerry, who confirmed the attack in Lafia said the personnel who carried out the act was not deployed from Nassarawa State Command.
He, therefore assured that the command would launch an investigation to fish out those behind the attack and bring them to book.
