NSCDC condemns attack on journalist in Nasarawa, tenders apology to state NUJ

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has condemned the attack meted on the Head of News of Breeze FM, Edwin Philip, in Lafiya, Nasarawa state during the gubernatorial and state Houses of assembly election on Saturday.

Nasarawa state commandant, NSCDC, Abbas Muhammed, said news of the attack was shocking to the management as it does not in any way reflect the character and attributes of the command’s personnel.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, (PRO), in the state, Jerry Victor, the agency said that the reporter was physically assaulted by the officer during a routine patrol and monitoring of election processes within the Lafiya metropolis by the NSCDC patrol team.

According to the statement,” Commandant Muhammed condemned this act in its totality, as it is not a true reflection of the character and attributes of the Command’s personnel. He vowed to investigate the incident to fish out the perpetrators of the attack on the journalist.

He harped on the need for officers and men of the command to exhibit high standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“Officers and men have been repeatedly briefed on the need for good public conduct at all times and especially during the election, therefore, anyone who violates this order will be liable to punishment,” he states.

While promising to investigate the incident to fish out the perpetrators of the attack on the journalist, the state commandant offered an unreserved apology to the state Nasarawa state Nigerian Union of Journalists he further assured he has given instruction that the injured journalist be immediately given medical attention with a promise to settle all bills incurred in order to avoid any health complications.