The Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has joined other prominent Nigerians to decry the bombing of some media houses by members of the Boko Haram sect.
In a statement signed by Michael Jegede, his Special Assistant on Media, Abatemi-Usman said he could not imagine why on earth any group of persons would unleash such an attack on the press for discharging their constitutional duty of informing and educating the people.
He noted that the media has played significant roles in the sustenance of democracy and the struggle for the emancipation of the masses, wondering therefore why any group would want to unnecessarily browbeat and terrorise the press.
The senator, while commiserating with the affected media establishments and families of the deceased, prayed for their peaceful repose and quick recovery of the injured.
Describing the act as highly despicable, abhorrent and repugnant, Abatemi-Usman called on the group to have a rethink and allow peace and unity to reign supreme in the country.
“I wish to strongly condemn the bombing of some media houses in the country. I do not think there is any reason that could justify such an act because the media represents the interest of all Nigerians regardless of tribes, religion, political affiliations or associations. For any group to think of attacking the Press in the manner it was done last week Thursday, is to my mind, a big dent to the country’s image as a democratic nation,” the senator said in the statement.
Abatemi-Usman enjoined the Federal Government to muster more strength in tackling the problem of general insecurity in the land, while calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the dastardly act and heinous crime against fellow citizens.