By Emma Obe
Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned an attack on some Port Harcourt-based journalists by people suspected to be hoodlums.

The NUJ said in a statement in Port Harcourt of Friday that nine journalists representing different media organizations in the state were attacked in the presence of the anti-cultism squad of the Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the new airport road before OPM, Rumuagholu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area where they had gone for a press briefing. Those attacked were reporters of Rhythm 93.7 FM, Rivers State Television, Sweet Crude online publication, Sahara Reporters, Wish FM, Today FM and Arise TV.

The NUJ statement signed by the State Chairman and State Secretary, Mr. Stanley Job, and Mr. Ike Wigodo, said the journalists were dispossessed of nine smartphones, two cameras, one HDV Soni and Canon and their accessories, audio recorder, wristwatches, two medicated eyeglasses as well as physical cash.

Union described the attack as unfortunate, barbaric, and criminal, stating that under no circumstance should Journalists on legitimate duties be attacked by anybody.

It expressed regrets that the attack on journalists was done under the nose of security agents. This is said portended ominous signal to the safety and security of lives.

The Council also frowned on the arrest and detention of two of the Journalists, Uchendu Ejiowhor of Today’s FM and Aham Chijioke of Sahara Reporters by the anti-cultism squad, only to be later released on the intervention of the NUJ leadership.

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“We wonder why the anti-cultism squad of the Rivers State Police Command would arrest and detain Journalists who were attacked, beaten, and wounded by hoodlums, instead of protecting them, while allowing the hoodlums to have a filled day. This is strange.

“We had expected the security agents to rise in defense of the nine journalists at the scene of the attack, and arrest and prosecute the hoodlums. Unfortunately, the reverse was the case”, the statement stated.

The NUJ, therefore, appealed to the Rivers State Police Command to always defend and protect Journalists on lawful duties, while also ensuring that the hoodlums involved in the barbaric attack are fished out for prosecution.

The statement warned that any further assault on Journalists in the State either by security agents or hoodlums would be vehemently resisted by the NUJ.