The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ebonyi State Council has banned journalists from covering the activities of Ezza North Local Government Area following the attack on three journalists by armed youths in Nkomoro community.
The three journalists attacked are Inya Uchenna of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki.
The Council in a communique noted that the ban will not be lifted until they compensate our Colleagues for their losses during the attack and tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ as a body.
The communique was signed by Chairman Comrade Samson Nwafor and Secretary Nnamdi Akpa.
They condemned the act by one Oscar Nwafor and the members of his group, which include Samuel Nnoko, Livinus Eze, Obiora Ezaka, Cletus Igwe and Joseph Oganyi.
The NUJ called on the Ebonyi State Government and the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command to immediately arrest and prosecute them.
“Congress strongly bemoans the unconcerned attitude of the People of Nkomoro Community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathize with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident,” the NUJ said.
“Congress views this total lack of empathy by the people of Nkomoro Community to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.
“Congress particularly took note of the role said to have been played in the dastardly act by one Oscar Nwafor and the members of his group, which include but not limited to the following: Samuel Nnoko, Livinus Eze, Obiora Ezaka, Cletus Igwe and Joseph Oganyi, and therefore, calls on the Ebonyi State Government and the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command to immediately arrest and prosecute them as well as other people who are directly or indirect involved in the wanton attack and destruction of property of innocent Journalists whose only offence was doing their constitutional duties.”
