COVID-19 CURFEW ENFORCEMENT: JOURNALISTS DECRY TREATMENT OF SECURITY AGENTS TO ANAMBRA MEDIA WORKERS

Some Journalists in Anambra State have expressed displeasure over what they described as high handedness by some security agents in the enforcement of the curfew imposed by the Federal Government.

The people, who made their feelings known while speaking with Radio Nigeria, lamented the undue harassment, arbitrary and overbearing attitude of the security agents in dealing with citizens, especially media workers, who are part of those on essential duties.

The Federal Government had two weeks ago ordered the 8pm to 6am curfew as part of its effort to halt the spread of COVID-19 pandemic across the nation.

However, this directive according to the journalists may have been misconstrued by some security personnel in Anambra State who saw it as an opportunity to shortchange and arrest people arbitrarily, even when they had cogent reasons to be out beyond the curfew period.

One of them, Mr. Jude Atupulazi, said it was wrong for the security agents to treat media workers in the area as if they were outlaws.

Mr. Atupulazi noted that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had in one of its recent briefings clearly stated that media men were part of those exempted from the curfew because of their line of duty to disseminate information on the pandemic.

For Mrs. Uche Amunike, arresting journalists and other media workers during the curfew was wrong and unethical, especially when they had presented their identity cards or official pass to the security agents.

She called on the Commissioner of Police and other heads of security agencies in the state to intervene in the matter to preserve the existing cordial relationship between the Media and their agencies.

Another journalist, Mrs. Ekwy Ajide, noted that the crucial nature of the media in informing and educating the public on the dreaded coronavirus disease requires that they should be allowed to do their duties unhindered.

The respondents said though the Anambra State Government was trying its best to contain the spread of the virus, there was still room for improvement.

They also commended the Federal Government for the palliatives so far distributed to states across the nation.

OBY ARINZE