The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council has barred members of the union from covering events in Nkomoro community in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state following an attack on three of its members.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the state capital, signed by its Chairman, Samson Nwafor.
The directive was issued after an emergency congress of the union.
Nwafor stated that three journalists: Uchenna Inya of Daily Sun, Godwin Oguta and Dr. Chinelo Okoro of Radio Nigeria’s Unity FM, Abakaliki, were attacked in the community on Saturday.
They were attacked when the kingship tussle between two warring groups in the area took a dangerous dimension.
The warring groups invited the journalists to cover and report the election/coronation of a new traditional ruler of the community, who was to emerge that day.
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But the event turned bloody when one of the factions objected to the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Chief Jacob Nwakpa.
Chika Igboke, an official of the state government, had said that he was instructed by the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to coronate the man.
Igboke eventually presented the authorisation paper directing him to do so.
Inya’s vehicle, which the media team rode in to the venue of the event, was smashed by an angry mob.
The NUJ Chairman described the incident as barbaric, wicked and wondered why journalists should be attacked while discharging their responsibilities as watchdogs of the society.
The NUJ demanded an apology and compensation for the attacked journalists from the warring parties to cover for their losses.
The statement added: “Congress condemns in strongest term the attack on three members of the union, namely: Mr Uchenna Inya of The Sun newspaper, Dr Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both from FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki, at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA.
“Congress describes the attack as not only crude and barbaric, but a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue and force journalists into self censorship.
“We strongly bemoan the unconcerned attitude of the people of Nkomoro community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathise with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident.
“Congress views this total lack of empathy by the people of Nkomoro to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.
“Congress therefore, directs Members of NUJ in Ebonyi to henceforth desist from covering events in Ezza North LGA, pending when relevant authorities and stakeholders of the council prevail on the community to compensate our colleagues.
“The community or perpetrators of this dastardly act are to tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ as a body. Congress resolved to sanction any member who flouts this directive.”
Igboke called on the Ebonyi State Government and the Commissioner of Police in the state to immediately arrest and prosecute those directly or indirectly involved in the attack.
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