A reporter with Silverbird TV in Nigeria, Uyi Amadin, together with his camera man, was on August 8, 2017, brutalised by police officers during a protest rally in the capital, Abuja.
An entertainer and rights activist, Charlie Boy, who was a leading figure in the “Resume or Resign” protest (a call to ailing President Mohamadu Buhari), was also assaulted by the police.
After beating the journalists, the police officers snatched their camera and deleted its content, according to a report by the Premium Times.
The incident has been widely condemned by the press and civil society in the country. In a statement issued on August 14, 2017, the influential press freedom advocacy organization and the MFWA’s national partner, International Press Centre, (IPC) said the assault on peaceful citizens was unacceptable.
“This kind of act is unacceptable from the police force. The duty of the police is to protect citizens and not to batter them in broad day light, considering the fact that it was a peaceful protest,” said the statement signed by IPC director Lanre Arogundade.
While calling for a public apology from the assailants, the IPC also urged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to probe the assault, and take the necessary actions.
The MFWA equally deplores the assault on the journalists and other citizens and appeal to the authorities to ensure that the victims receive due reparation.
