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The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has condemned the inhumane treatment of men of the Nigerian Police against a reporter of the Guardian newspapers while on his lawful assignment in Lagos yesterday.
In a release made available to National Wire and signed by IPC’s Program Officer/ Safety Alert Desk Officer, Melody Lawal, the media NGO noted the infringement against the reporter, Eniola Daniel.
The statement reads in part, “The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria frowns at, and totally condemns police brutality against Eniola Daniel, a reporter with The Guardian Newspaper while performing his duty at Apapa-Oshodi, Lagos on Sunday, February 28, 2021.
“Information of the Police unwarranted brutality collated by the IPC Journalist Safety Alert Desk, describes the inhumane treatment of the Nigeria Police Force, who physically and mentally assaulted Eniola, while covering the activities of a government Taskforce at Apapa-Oshodi expressway in the early hours of Sunday.”
According to the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, incessant attacks on journalists by men attached to the security agencies is endangering Nigeria’s democracy.
“This incessant action or excessive use of force against journalists and civilians is dangerous to our democracy and a major threat to press freedom. Such acts of brutality also violate the fundamental human rights of the journalist,” he said.
Arogundade stated further that, “Mr. Eniola Daniel’s personal belongings and work tools were destroyed and vandalized during the unfortunate incident. We urge the men of the Nigerian Police Force to be mindful of events around the world and not continually create an environment where journalists will be afraid to work and discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
IPC therefore calls on the authorities at the Nigeria Police Force to take adequate and swift measures to bring to book those who violated the journalist while putting in place machinery to compensate Eniola Daniel for this inhumane treatment.
The organisation however advised the Nigerian Police to train its men to be more respectful while on duty.
“We also call on the Nigeria Police Force to step up the training of its officers to be more respectful and courteous while discharging their duties. They should be reminded constantly that the primary responsibility of the Police is the protection of citizens including journalists and every other civilians,” Arogundade said.
