International
Federation of Journalists
Press Statement
20 September, 2017
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemns the unwarranted invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia, Abia State by soldiers on 12 September 2017.
20 September, 2017
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemns the unwarranted invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia, Abia State by soldiers on 12 September 2017.
On
12 September, a group of soldiers broke into the Press Center of the
National Union of Journalists (NUJ), an IFJ affiliate, in Umuahia, Abia
State in Nigeria and attacked journalists and destroyed equipment. The
attack took place a few days after three journalists
were brutalised by the officials of the Department of State Security in Osun State.
were brutalised by the officials of the Department of State Security in Osun State.
In
a Press Statement the NUJ expressed grave concerns in regards to the
invasion of the press center condemning “ in totality the conduct of the
army at the NUJ Press Centre in Umuahia, Abia State” and demanding “
immediate investigations into this macabre act”. The union
also asked for an apology from the Chief of Army Staff for the reprehensible conduct of his soldiers and demanded that they be brought to justice.
also asked for an apology from the Chief of Army Staff for the reprehensible conduct of his soldiers and demanded that they be brought to justice.
The
NUJ has also demanded payment for the medical bills of those who sustained
injuries, as well as compensation for the furniture and equipment
destroyed by the soldiers.
IFJ
General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We are deeply shocked by the
attitude of these soldiers and see this attack as a deliberate act of
intimidation designed to cow and silence the media. We ask that
the attackers be brought to justice immediately and demand that the
Nigerian government set the necessary conditions for journalists to
carry out their duties without fear or intimidation”.
The
International Federation of Journalists(IFJ)<http://ifj.us6.list-
is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established
in 1926, it represents around 600,000 journalists in 179 unions and
associations across 141 countries worldwide. You can follow us on
Twitter<http://ifj.us6.list-
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