NUJ Urges Security Agencies to Prosecute Attackers of Journalists in Ebonyi
Onyeka Nnabu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State council, has called on security agencies and state government to fish out and prosecute attackers of her members during an event on last Saturday in Ikwuato Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.
10 members of the Correspondents’Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state were attacked on their way to cover the defection of Mr. Ifeanyi Nworie to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the community with the chapel’s branded Toyota Hiace Bus.
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NUJ, in a communique issued at the end of its emergency meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital signed by the Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, Secretary, Dr. Chinaza John, Comrade Chika Igwe, Comrade Okoro,-Egwu Justin and Comrade Igiri Sylvia the communique drafting committee members, implored security agencies to fish out and prosecute perpetrators of the dastardly act in accordance with the law, to serve as a deterrent to others.
It emphasized that the safety and security of journalists are critical to the survival and growth of democracy.
The union condemned the unprovoked attack on the 10 journalists by the political thugs led by one Friday Agbom, who reportedly attempted to set ablaze a well-branded NUJ bus conveying the journalists and described the action as barbaric.
NUJ expressed dismay that journalists carrying out their lawful duties could be targeted by thugs, more so when led by a legal practitioner, Friday Agbom.
“Congress condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked attack on journalists who were invited to cover a political event at Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South LGA, on Friday, 22nd July 2026.
The attack was carried out by political thugs led by Barr. Friday Agbom, who reportedly attempted to set ablaze a well-branded NUJ bus conveying the journalists.
“Congress described the action as barbaric and expressed dismay that journalists carrying out their lawful duties could be targeted by thugs, more so when led by a legal practitioner.
“Consequently, Congress called on security agencies and the State Government to fish out and prosecute the perpetrators of this dastardly act in accordance with the law, to serve as a deterrent to others. Congress emphasized that the safety and security of journalists are critical to the survival and growth of democracy”, the communique said.
The union urged political parties in the state to caution their members and supporters against harassment and attacks on journalists, especially now that political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections have commenced.
It warned that any further attack on a journalist by overzealous members or supporters of any political party would not be tolerated and may compel NUJ to boycott the coverage of activities of such party.
“Congress called on members of the public to recognize that the professional duties of journalists are in the public interest. Acts of impunity against journalists should therefore not be condoned”, the communique further said
The union resolved to officially communicate Governor Francis Nwifuru, Security Agencies, Political Parties, and the Nigeria Bar Association,(NBA) on the attack on the ten journalists and other concerns relating to the safety and security of media practitioners in the state.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER 5TH AUGUST, 2026)
