Thugs invade Edo NUJ secretariat

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Suspected thugs numbering 40 invaded Edo state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state Council in Benin City.
The suspected thugs laid siege to the press centre in the state Capital, where they ransacked the newsroom and took over the NUJ bar for four hours in search of ON television Correspondent in the state, Gbenga Olowokere who was away when they arrived.
It was learnt that the presence of the suspected hoodlums, dragged braved some Journalists who were at the secretariat to the cusp of anger.
The Journalists had threatened to confront them before Policemen attached to Aideyan Police Division (GRA) arrived the scene.
The development is not unconnected with the N5 million gift donated by the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole to the union which was allegedly diverted by nine suspended Journalists in the state.
It was learnt that the thugs found their way into the secretariat following a report by one of the suspended members of the Union against Olowokere who was accused of lynching one of the suspended Journalists on Thursday morning.
The state chairman of the Union, Comrade Roland Osakue had pleaded with the thugs to leave the premises, but, his plea fell on deaf ears.
It was gathered that the suspected hoodlums had escorted some of the suspended Journalists to the secretariat purporting that they have been cleared by the national secretariat of wrong doing.
Normalcy however returned when when the the Journalists refused to yield the stage for suspected thugs who thereafter retreated to undisclosed locations.