The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a directive banning journalists from covering activities in Ezza North Local Government Area following an attack on three journalists by armed youths in Nkomoro community.
The journalists assaulted on Saturday include Mr Inya Uchenna of The Sun Newspapers, Dr Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Unity FM, Abakaliki.
Their vehicles were also damaged during the attack.
This decision was reached during a meeting held on Tuesday in Abakaliki as detailed in a communique signed by the NUJ chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor and secretary, Nnamdi Akpa. The ban will only be lifted upon the tendering of apologies and compensation to the affected journalists.
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The NUJ also called on the Ebonyi State Government and the police to promptly arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks, specifically naming Oscar Nwafor and his group, which include Samuel Nnoko, Livinus Eze, Obiora Ezaka, Cletus Igwe and Joseph Oganyi.
“The congress strongly condemns the indifferent attitude of the people of Nkomoro community towards the unprovoked attack as they are yet to express sympathy with the victims more than four days after the incident.
“The lack of empathy from the community suggests that the attack was premeditated and carried out deliberately,” the communique stated.
The NUJ emphasised the need for justice and accountability, urging the authorities to ensure that all those involved in the assault and destruction of property belonging to the journalists are brought to justice swiftly
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