The International Press Centre (IPC) has revealed that masked security operatives opened fire on journalists at the Abuja National Stadium during the hunger protest on Saturday, August 3.
The IPC said it finds it appalling that journalists covering and reporting the protests are still being targeted, victimized and brutally assaulted by security officials, hoodlums and anti-protesters.
IPC said it frowns at this inhumane attitude towards the media and press men and women while carrying out their duties.
The Press Centre noted that the information it gathered from its journalists’ safety alert situation room revealed that there is a continuous increase in the number of journalists and media professionals who are facing one form of attack or another including physical assault, harassment, unlawful detention, etc.
The IPC said updated details of the incidents as documented by its Safety of Journalists Alert Desk showed in Abuja, Olukayode Jayeola, a photojournalist with The Punch Newspaper was arrested by police officers while covering the protest at Eagle Square.
It added that his camera, phones and other personal belongings were confiscated by security operatives.
“Masked security operatives also fired sporadically at journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. Bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter’s car conveying journalists out of the location.
“The Journalists inside the car shot at by security agents are those of The Punch, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette,” it stated.
In Borno State, IPC said nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were arrested by security officials in Maiduguri as they were reporting the protests.
“IPC believes these increasing attacks are meant to deter the media from reporting the truth about the protests.
“This disturbing trend undermines not only the safety of the journalists concerned but also the integrity of the information citizens can rely on to understand the full scope of the crisis,” it added.
IPC reiterated the need for the Inspector General of Police and all other security agencies to call their men on the field to order.
