By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged intimidation and harassment of some journalists assigned by their respective organizations to cover the recent protests across Nigeria which began last Thursday.
In a statement issued by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Achike Chude, the Union described the alleged harassment of its members as “anti-democratic behaviours.”
The National Secretary accused “state and non-state actors” of perpetrating the alleged act against journalists.
Chude, however, maintained that despite these actions, “journalists will neither be cowed nor deterred from carrying out their responsibilities of engaging with society to inform, enlighten, and educate citizens to promote the public good.”
The statement reads in part: “Following the series of protests that rocked many parts of the country on Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2, 2024, Nigerian journalists went out in their numbers as required by the demands of the profession to cover the events.
“Unfortunately, the hydra-headed monster of journalist intimidation, harassment, and the seizure of both official and personal assets of members of the press reared its ugly head once more. These acts were carried out by both state and non-state actors.”
The NUJ also underlined its ongoing efforts to engage with government officials and security forces to curb “the undemocratic behaviours and incidents of harassment.”
“This sordid and unacceptable state of affairs, especially those perpetrated by state actors, is occurring despite various conscious efforts by the NUJ to engage government officials and security forces to address these anti-democratic behaviours by those responsible for maintaining law and order,” the statement added.
