Delta NUJ condemns Police assault on Vanguard reporter

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State chapter, has condemned in its entirely the assault meted out on Vanguard Newspaper’s reporter in Warri, Mr. Akpokona Omafuaire, by men of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Oleu Division.
The reporter was allegedly assaulted during last Saturday’s environmental sanitation exercise at the council area.
In a statement issued by the Union Chairman, Mr. Mike Ikeogwu, the union stated that assaulting a Journalist on essential duty like those who were deployed to cover, and enforce law and order, after due introduction of self, was unacceptable, and views as an attempt to gag the press from doing its job.
Part of the statement reads: “Journalists for no reason should not suffer any prejudice in the course of their duties as such, a journalist who knows his right must refuse any directive or interference that is contrary to the general policy of his organization, therefore attempt by the policemen and other officials of the council to manhandle our member because they were delayed to enforce restriction of movement was repugnant to journalists practice.”
Akpokona car key was allegedly seized under the guise of trying to enforce restriction of movement order.
But the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, in a swift reaction, said the matter was undergoing serious investigation with a view to arresting rising temper among the journalists.