The Nigeria Union of Journalist has Condemned the alleged invasion of a media house in Abia state to arrest studio guest.
In a statement by the NUJ Abia state chairman, Victor Ndukwe said the union received complaint relating to the invasion of All Breaking News (ABN) TV headquarters in Umuahia, by operatives of Abia State Police Command.
NUJ said arresting guests who honour invitations to live programmes translates to a systematic and crude means of putting the media out of business through resultant damages to costly, senstive equipment and scaring people away.
NUJ says the invasion leaves a sour taste in the mouth and should be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians, given that the Police operatives knew where they ought to hunt for their suspect given that the petition against him must have contained his address.
This makes media houses endangered zones for guests invited to live programmes and could muzzle the plurality of opinions which enhances democracy.
“It is pertinent to recall that few years back, the Police in Abia, in a similar gestapo fashion, invaded Flo FM, Umuahia, also to arrest a guest invited to a live programme.
In September 2017, military personnel invaded the NUJ Press Centre in Umuahia and not only assaulted journalists but equally destroyed their tools of trade.”
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
