HARASSMENT OF JOURNALISTS BY THE DSS: IPC demands justice for assaulted photojournalist

Oru Leonard

The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria is concerned about the alleged maltreatment of Oluwagbemiga Olamikan, a photojournalist with the Vanguard newspaper by the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.

Reports from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT, specified that the DSS operatives prevented some reporters from covering the trial of some supporters of Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho.

Oluwagbemiga Olamikan was reportedly assaulted at the said trial which took place at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday August 2nd, 2021.

In a statement by the Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, IPC said: “This occurrence is another indication that journalists’ rights and press freedom are ceaselessly being disregarded in the country”.

“Journalists are legitimately authorised to carry out their duties without interference and their harassment in the course of duty in a matter of immense public interest is appalling and unacceptable”, the statement said further.

Mr. Arogundade said IPC is demanding immediate investigation and prosecution of the security operatives responsible for the assault to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to engage in similar act of brutality. “An unreserved apology should be tendered to Mr. Olamikan while he should be well compensated”, the statement added.

(IPC Media)