The Nigerian Army has read the riot act to soldiers who took part in the Tuesday assault on journalists in Umuahia, Abia State., saying they will face disciplinary action.
At least two journalists were reportedly assaulted by troops in the Abia State capital in the afternoon. The soldiers accused the journalists of filming them as they rode by the state Secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ).
The journalists said the troops smashed their mobile phones and other electronic devices during the incident, which occurred when the soldiers were allegedly trying to barricade the residence of separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The soldiers also clashed with supporters of Nnamdi Kanu as they attempted to place him on house arrest.
The incident has generated anxiety in the state, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeaze to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state’s commercial town of Aba.
In his reaction to the soldiers’ assault on journalists, Oyegoke Badamosi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army 14 Brigade in Ohafia, said preliminary investigation has revealed that soldiers indeed launched aggression against the reporters who were on their legitimate duties.
“What happened was that while the soldiers on patrol near the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed some people filming them.
“Unfortunately, they seized and damaged their recording devices; an iPad and 2 mobile phones. Preliminary investigation shows that the items belong to journalists on their legitimate duties.
“Consequently, the Commander 14 Brigade and Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the matter which has since been resolved amicably.”
Major Badamosi however said some media outfits had exaggerated the incident.
“The magnitude is not as was reported,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Abdul Kalifah Ibrahim has apologised to journalists in Nigeria for the military invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia.
The Army Chief, who visited the Press Centre in company of the Naval Commander, School of Finance and Logistics Owerrinta, Capt Abdulahi Aminu condemned the attack, describing it as a disaster of unimaginable proportion.
He promised to fish out the soldiers who carried out the unauthorised operation with a view to sanctioning them, urging journalists not to allow the invasion of their office to cause any disaffection between the army and the media.
He also promised to pay for the cell phone belonging to one of the journalists which went missing after the attack and warned soldiers to respect the rights of civilians during the operation python dance.
After his visit, the deputy Director of Information, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col Musa Sagay, also came calling on behalf of the General Officer Commanding the Division, Major Gen Adamu Abubakar and condemned the action of the soldiers.
Col Sagay said immediately his boss heard what happened, he was detailed to go to Umuahia to meet with journalists and appeal to them for calm as the Army was on top of the situation.
“It is regrettable that this ugly incident happened to a group of people I have known and worked with since 2010-2011 when kidnapping was at its peak in the state and I would not want that cordial relationship to be destroyed.
“I am in Umuahia on behalf of my boss Gen Abubakar who is the commander of 82 Div Enugu to express our concern over what happened on Tuesday which is not the normal way we operate.
“I want to assure you that all those who took part in the action against journalists will be fished out and dealt with accordingly. The Operation Egwu Eke (Python Dance) will commence from 15th of September to 14th of October and the exercise is not targeted at any group.
“The exercise is targeted at all security flash points in the entire South East geopolitical zone which is the reason behind the army show of force but it is targeted at kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism, insurgency and secession agitators,” Sagay stated.
he Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Abdul Kalifah Ibrahim has apologised to journalists in Nigeria for the military invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Umuahia.
The Army Chief, who visited the Press Centre in company of the Naval Commander, School of Finance and Logistics Owerrinta, Capt Abdulahi Aminu condemned the attack, describing it as a disaster of unimaginable proportion.