The Nasarawa State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, has condemned in strong term an attack on one of its member while covering the Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections in Lafia, the state capital.
In a statement by the Council Secretary, Sunday John, the union described the attack as barbaric and uncalled for.
The Journalist, Mr. Edwin Philip who is also the Head of News and Current Affairs of Breeze FM Lafia, was attack while covering the election at polling unit 061, Chiroma ward, Lafia local government area.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Nasarawa State Council, received with shock and dismay, the attack on Mr Edwin Philip, Head of News and Current Affairs, Breeze FM Lafia on Saturday while covering the Governorship and House of Assembly Elections by officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“The attack on the innocent journalists was uncalled for, barbaric and unfortunate.
“The union is very disturbed because this re-enactment of our unsavory experience is a negative development for our democracy and it is our conviction that Edwin Philip has been performing his duty in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and professional ethics.
“We wish to call on the Commandant of NSCDC in Nasarawa State Command, to investigate the infringement of fundamental Human Rights of the journalists and punish the personnel involved to serve as deterrent to others.
“In a democracy, no matter how flawed, it is the duty of NSCDC to protect lives and property of every citizen, especially journalists and all media workers like Edwin Philip.” The statement read.
