The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos has condemned the reported attacks on journalists and media professionals during the nationwide protests on August 1, 2024. The protests were held by groups demanding an end to the country’s economic hardships.
According to information gathered by IPC’s journalists’ safety alert team, several journalists faced various forms of attacks, including physical assault, harassment, and denial of access to cover the protests. Some journalists were injured, arrested, or had their working tools destroyed.
The incidents were reported in various states, including:
Lagos: Benard Akede of News Central Television was barred by police and LCC officials from interviewing protesters during a live broadcast.
Kano: Ibrahim Isah, a TVC News correspondent, was physically assaulted by armed hoodlums while covering the protest. A Channels TV vehicle carrying 11 journalists was also vandalized.
Abuja: Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was attacked and injured by police officers, and cameras belonging to journalists were destroyed.
Cross River: Hoodlums in Calabar attacked journalists, seriously injuring a Nigerian Tribune reporter. A journalist from Cross River Watch was also arrested and beaten.
Delta: Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper, and a Pointer reporter were attacked by anti-protest protesters who destroyed their equipment.
IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, described the attacks as a troubling repeat of history, stating that journalists should be allowed to cover protests and other societal activities as guaranteed by the constitution. She called on security agencies to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
