Over fourteen vehicles including that belonging to a Journalist, Inya Uchenna, that went for a coronation ceremony at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State were destroyed by hoodlums said to be opposed to the enthronement of the new Traditonal Ruler.
Three Journalists, namely; Mr Uchenna Inya (State Correspondent of The Sun newspapers), Sir Godwin Oguta (Staff of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki) and Dr. Chinelo Okoro (Staff of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki), were attacked and a Toyota Corolla belonging to Mr Inya Uchenna was smashed by the hoodlums who blocked them as well as other guests who attended the coronation, on their way out of the community on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council in a release endorsed by its Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, while reacting to the incident, strongly Condemned the unprovoked attack on Journalists invited to cover the coronation ceremony
The council noted with concern that the perpetrators of this dastardly act knew the identities of these Journalists as the car conveying them, has visible insignia that fully identified them as Journalists, and yet, went ahead to attack them.
The Ebonyi NUJ further argued that though these hoodlums were opposed to the emergence of the Royal Father, they ought not take laws into their hands to the extent of attacking innocent Journalists merely carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
The Council, therefore, called on security agencies as well as the State government to fish out and punish the perpetrators of this dastardly act, to serve as a deterrent to others and to ensure the safety and security of Journalists to enable our democracy to thrive.
Ebony NUJ used the forum to remind the public that the Professional duty of Journalists is clearly in the public interests, and made it clear that acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.
