The Nation Newspaper

Tag: assault

  • More knocks for SSS over assault on The Nation reporter

    The furore over the assault on The Nation reporter, Kazeem Ibrahim, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) is far from over.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Federal Government to investigate the incident.

    Three SSS operatives beat up Ibrahim at the Akwa Ibom State Government House, when he tried to cover Governor Godswill Akpabio’s 50th birthday celebration.

    “We are deeply disturbed by the savage assault on Kazeem Ibrahim and call on the SSS to investigate and bring to account everyone responsible,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita in New York.

    “Journalists must be allowed to cover public events without fear for their safety.”

    SSS Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar did not respond to CPJ’s calls and a text message seeking comment.

    Journalists have been repeatedly assaulted in the state. On June 9, during the local government election, a senior police officer ordered his men to beat up a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter and the editor of News Net, an Akwa Ibom tabloid.

    On March 8, a reporter with a local tabloid was assaulted by police officers during a protest by community youth against a Chinese oil company.

    A Punch reporter was assaulted and sent out of the state’s High Court at an event marking the new legal year in September.

  • Governor’s ADC sued for alleged assault

    The Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to Ebonyi State Governor Martins Elechi, Mr. Mohammed Tinja, has been sued for allegedly hitting the spokesman of the Ebonyi Youth Assembly, Mr. Sunday Agwu, with the butt of an AK 47 rifle. He also allegedly sprayed tear gas on Agwu.

    The matter is before a High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    When the case came up yesterday, Justice Vin Nwancho adjourned the matter till tomorrow.

    Tinja allegedly assaulted Agwu at the Abakaliki Township Stadium on May 29 during the Democracy Day celebration.

    Agwu said Tinja and some other policemen beat him up, tore his clothes and forced him into the boot of a Hilux van.

    He said: “Tinja took me to the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki, where he hit him severally with the butt of an AK 47 rifle and sprayed tear gas into my eyes and mouth”.

    Agwu said he was detained for over eight hours.

    Agwu’s lawyer, Nnachi Igbo, said Section 34 (1)(a) of the Nigeria Constitution prohibits the torture of any individual.

    Igbo urged the court to direct the respondents to publish a letter of apology addressed to the applicant in two national newspapers, among other things.