Nigerian authorities have been called upon to swiftly identify and hold accountable those responsible for attacking journalists in Bayelsa state. The attack took place during the coverage of clashes between members of the Opu Nembe community. The assailants robbed and assaulted the journalists, leaving some injured. The Committee to Protect Journalists has emphasized the importance of protecting the press and urged the police to conduct a transparent investigation.
Abuja, August 30, 2023 - Nigerian authorities should swiftly identify and hold to account those responsible for recently attacking a group of journalists in southern Bayelsa state, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.
On August 14, a group of unidentified men carrying guns, knives, and sticks attacked journalists who were reporting on the aftermath of clashes between younger members of the Opu Nembe community and their leaders, according to the journalists, who spoke with CPJ, and news reports.
The men assaulted and robbed one journalist and stole equipment from two others. Two of the journalists were injured while fleeing the scene, they told CPJ.
"Authorities in Nigeria must identify all members of the group who recently attacked journalists working in Bayelsa state and hold them to account," said Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa program coordinator in Durban, South Africa. "Police should conduct a swift and transparent investigation to send a clear message to all Nigerians that protecting the press is a priority."
The journalists at the scene included reporter Joseph Kunde and camera operator Miebi Binafiai with the privately owned Television Continental news broadcaster; reporter Awe Baratuapere and camera operator Ayebakuro Rhodes Egein with the government-owned Nigerian Television Authority; reporter Iniyekenime Doctor Bruce, with the privately owned Africa Independent Television broadcaster; and Folaranmi Femi, a correspondent for The Sun newspaper.
Those journalists told CPJ that the police provided them with a security escort to the area, but then left because of another assignment. The journalists had nearly finished their work when dozens of young men appeared, fired guns into the air, and attacked them.
Femi and Kunde said they ran back to the police base to alert the officers. Police returned to the village about 20 minutes later and used tear gas and shot in the air to disperse the crowd.
Before police arrived, Binafiai told CPJ, attackers pointed an AK-47 rifle at him and stripped him of his shirt and pants, which they used to tie his hands and legs. The men then kicked and punched him until the officers arrived and chased them away. Binafiai said he lost a tooth in the attack, for which he received medical treatment, and the attackers also stole his camera, a mobile phone worth 170,000 naira ($220), two microphones, and 7,000 naira (US$9) in cash.
Bruce told CPJ that she fell down while running away and pretended to be unconscious, but the attackers stole her mobile phone and camera as she lay on the ground. She said that the Nigeria Union of Journalists later recovered her camera, but it was broken.
Baratuapere said he lost his tripod while running from the attackers and sustained a small cut near his right knee.
Egein told CPJ that he fell over as he was running to seek sanctuary in a nearby house, and broke his ankle and hurt his knee. A woman followed him inside the house and threatened to hand him over to the attackers unless he gave her all his money and belongings. Egein said he gave her his mobile phone, iPad, earbuds, 5,000 naira (US$6) in cash, and his ATM card, which she later used to withdraw 77,000 naira (US$100).
Egein said the woman hid him for a while and then introduced him to two men who escorted him to the next village, where he stayed until the following morning.
The other five journalists said police took them to the station, where they filed a complaint and waited until about midnight for officers to safely escort them out of the area.
Bayelsa state police spokesperson Butswat Asinim told CPJ on August 28 that investigations were ongoing to recover the stolen items and identify the perpetrators.
Nigerian authorities have been urged to take swift action in the wake of the recent attack on journalists in Bayelsa state. The incident occurred during the coverage of clashes between young members of the Opu Nembe community and their leaders. According to the journalists who were present, a group of unidentified men armed with guns, knives, and sticks attacked them, assaulting and robbing one journalist and stealing equipment from two others. Several journalists sustained injuries while fleeing the scene. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the attack and called for a transparent investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The journalists affected by the attack were Joseph Kunde and Miebi Binafiai from the Television Continental news broadcaster, Awe Baratuapere and Ayebakuro Rhodes Egein from the Nigerian Television Authority, Iniyekenime Doctor Bruce from Africa Independent Television, and Folaranmi Femi from The Sun newspaper. Despite receiving a security escort from the police, the journalists found themselves outnumbered and targeted by a large group of armed men.
Femi and Kunde made their way back to the police base to seek help, and the police eventually returned to the village, dispersing the crowd with tear gas and warning shots. However, the attackers had already caused significant harm, with Binafiai having been stripped, tied up, and physically assaulted. Bruce also suffered injuries while attempting to flee and had her camera and mobile phone stolen.
Baratuapere lost his tripod during the escape and sustained a minor cut on his knee. Egein, on the other hand, fell and injured his ankle and knee while running to find safety. He sought refuge in a nearby house, where a woman threatened to surrender him to the attackers unless he handed over his valuables. Egein complied and lost his mobile phone, iPad, earbuds, cash, and ATM card.
The incident highlights the risks journalists face in Nigeria and the urgent need for their protection. The CPJ has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, recover the stolen equipment, and bring the attackers to justice. Press freedom is essential for the functioning of democracy, and protecting journalists in their work is crucial to upholding that freedom.
Bayelsa state police spokesperson Butswat Asinim has assured the CPJ that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and retrieve the stolen items. However, it remains to be seen how swiftly and effectively the authorities will act on this matter. The attack on journalists not only compromises their safety and well-being but also endangers press freedom in Nigeria. Authorities must send a clear message that such attacks will not be tolerated and that protecting the press is a priority.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-30 News
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