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Security aides in Kogi assault reporter

By John Akubo (Lokoja) Julius Osahon (Yenagoa)
30 August 2017   |   4:18 am
Security aides attached to the Kogi State Government House yesterday assaulted a reporter from the Channels Television.

Nigeria Police

•CLO writes FRCN over closure of Creek FM in Bayelsa
Security aides attached to the Kogi State Government House yesterday assaulted a reporter from the Channels Television.

The Guardian leant that the operatives attacked the reporter over his alleged lack of respect for the national flag.

It was further leant that the reporter was receiving calls when the flag was being lowered by 6:00p.m. which he claimed he was unaware of.

The reporter, who was beaten by about six policemen, was later detained in a cell at the Government House. He is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lokoja, the state capital.

When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu said the command was still investigating the matter.

“We take the conduct of our personnel seriously and you can be rest assured that no sinner will go unpunished,” he said.

Barely 24 hours after the assault, other security agents manhandled a reporter from Leadership newspaper at the gate of the Government House.

It was leant that the reporter was on assignment at the scene when the incident occurred.

He was said to have escaped without bruises, even as the security agents threatened to beat him as a deterrent to other journalists.

Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation, (CLO) has protested against the continued shutdown of its Creek 106.5 FM in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

In a letter to the board of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the CLO accused the board and management of over-reliance on state government for its operation.

The CLO’s state Chairman, Nengi James expressed concern at the FRSC’s capacity to broadcast balanced and fair reportage.

The FM station, which began broadcast in 2014 was closed some months ago over its alleged inability to secure an accommodation and operational logistics after Governor Seriake Dickson withdrew its support.

The CLO gave the FRCN a 14-day ultimatum to open the station or face a stronger petition to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The petition added that the closure of the station was part of the FRSC’s plot to undermine the people of the state and disconnect the region from the activities of the Federal Government.

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