NUJ CONDEMNS GUNMEN ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS COVERING ENUGU LG POLL

REPORTER: CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council has condemned the attack by gunmen on some journalists on local government election duty in the state.

The new Chairman of the union, Comrade Sam Udekwe, made this known on Wednesday in a statement in Enugu.

A team of four reporters from the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) and one from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ran into the gunmen at Obeagu Community, Enugu South Local Government Area.

The masked gunmen came in Sienna min van and Highlander SUV and shot sporadically, scaring away voters, election officials, observers and journalists.

As the gunmen turned their attention to the oncoming ESBS branded bus on election duty, most of the journalists in the bus scampered for safety.

However, one of the reporters, Chigozie Alex-Nwafor and the bus driver, Ebuka Ogbozor were held back in the bus but released after receiving machete cuts.

The State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Udekwe, described the attack as unprovoked, morally reprehensible and should be condemned by every Nigerian.

“I find it inexplicable that journalists have suddenly become endangered species even while discharging their constitutional duties.

“This type of act against innocent citizens must not be allowed to take roots in the society,” he said.

Comrade Udekwe appealed to security agencies in the state to be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and security.

He also called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the media organisations whose reporters were injured to pay commensurate compensations to all the victims.