The attack and detention of two of its members by political thugs and police personnel in the state have been sharply denounced by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council.
While attempting to cover the planned demolition of the campaign office of the state gubernatorial candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muhammad Barde, the journalists Chika Francis Udenkwo of Africa Independent Television and Joseph Atabo were detained by police and later released.
It was gathered that Udenkwo was beaten by irate youths suspected to be political thugs before his identity was disclosed by some of his colleagues at the scene.
A press statement jointly signed by the state Chairman, Comrade Sai’du Baffah, Malala, and the secretary, Danjuma Kala, and made available to newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, called on the Commissioner of Police in the state to tender an unreserved to the affected journalists.
“The affected journalists are Chika Francis Udenkwo of AIT and Joseph Atabo a photojournalist with blueprint newspaper while on their legitimate assignment around Shehu Abubakar lodged Gombe on Tuesday 30th August, they were beaten by suspected political thugs and handed over to the police who unlawfully detained them for over three hours at Pantami division of the Nigerian Police force, Gombe,” the statement read.
“Even though the affected Journalists have been released unconditionally, the statement stated that the act violates the right of practicing Journalists in the state with the guiding principles and ethics of the profession.
“NUJ called on the commissioner of police, Gombe state Command, CP Ishola Babaita to tender an unreserved apology to the affected members and the NUJ at large to forestall the reoccurrence of such incidents between police and the media practitioners in the state
“For the benefit of doubt, the Union once again want to call on Security agencies, political, parties and the general public to consider press men as partners in the progress and development of the state, especially as electioneering campaigns by political parties are approaching as well as the 2023 general elections,
The statement further called on NUJ members to remain calm over the incident and continue with their routine assignments of adequately informing the public on the happenings around them in conformity with the Journalism professional guidelines, reiterating that the Union will continue to do the needful in protecting their dignity and image for the progress of the profession in the state and the country as a whole.
