IPC demands police apologise for harassing journalists

Arogundade

The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the humiliation of journalists by the Nigeria police and a mob during the Osun State governorship elections September 2018.

According to a report by Premium Times, 22nd September, 2018, "A mob attacked Oladipo Abiodun, a Premium Times election observer at CAC, Ward 3 polling until at Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State.  He was harassed by some persons because they suspected he was taking pictures. Abiodun's jacket was torn and his tag was destroyed by hoodlums.

"Kemi Busari, a Premium Times journalist who covered the Osun rerun election  was briefly arrested by the police for taking pictures at polling unit one, Ward 8, Orolu Local Government Area. Busari, who arrived the polling unit at about 7.40am, thought it fit to capture the voting process, but this landed him in police custody.

"Some journalists were sent back midway on their journey to cover the rerun election in Ifon Osun, Orolu Local Government Area.  They were sent back by police officers who were on the spot to barricade the entrance to the polling unit. The incident happened around 11.30am."

The barred journalists were from diverse platforms such as Premium Times, The Cable, Sahara Reporters.

IPC Director, Lanre Arogundade, reacted that "the various humiliations faced by journalists during the Osun State governorship elections was very unfortunate and an impediment on democracy. The various incidents only portray what is likely going to occur during the forthcoming general elections if immediate actions are not taken.

"We therefore call on all media stakeholders and international agencies to dialogue and chart the way forward for a peaceful environment for journalists to carry out their responsibilities during the general elections."

He concluded by reiterating his strong condemnation of the humiliation of the journalists and demanded a public apology from the Nigerian Police Force.