Journalists have threatened to boycott engagement and severe ties with the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in an unprecedented move, should the secret police fail to apologize over the unwarranted attack on them at the State Election Petition Tribunal sitting on Monday January 20, 2025.
The decision followed the alleged assault of Africa Independent Television (AIT) cameraman, Timothy Odion and his counterpart in Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) simply identified as Comrade Edwin by DSS operatives had a scuffle with political party loyalists in court.
Chairman and Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Chapter, Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Comrade Andy Egbon in a joint statement on Monday, said the apology has to be tendered within a specific time frame.
The Union condemned the assault on the journalists, stating that attempt to bar journalists from performing their constitutional duties is a blatant assault on press freedom and the fundamental right of citizens to information and free speech.
“The actions of the DSS operatives are not only unacceptable, but also a clear indication of the growing hostility towards the media in Nigeria.
“We therefore call on the Director-General of the DSS and the Edo State Director of the service to take immediate steps to caution their personnel and prevent future occurrences.
“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues who were harassed and intimidated by the DSS operatives. We demand an unconditional apology to NUJ and an assurance that journalists will be allowed to perform their duties without hindrance, failure which the Union will take further steps to express its displeasure, including boycotting activities of the organization in Edo State.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, will continue to advocate for Press freedom and the protection of journalists rights”, according to the statement that urged “all Stakeholders to join us in condemning this brazen attack on democracy and the free Press”.
TheNewspad recalls that police personnel at the scene however weigh in and arrested the skirmishes that temporarily halted proceeding of the court at about 10: 05a.m.
Narrating his ordeal earlier, Comrade Timothy Odion (AIT), alleged that the DSS operatives were too confrontational.
He said, “I am here to do my job and you are here to do your job. Why should you stop me from recording.
“Do I have right to tell you to carry gun? I didn’t to leave when they ask me to do so. So, they (DSS) became confrontational”, he said.
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