The International Press Centre (IPC), Nigeria, has expressed 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 2, 2021.
In a statement by the IPC, Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, 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 and 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 rendered to Mr. Olamikan [and] he should be well compensated”, the statement added.
