Richard Elesho/Lokoja
The correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kogi State Chapter, has asked its members to henceforth boycott all activities in Government House in protest of what it described as ‘security agents harassment at the the gate.’
This was contained in a letter addressed to the Director General to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, by Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Ibrahim Obansa and was made available to newsmen in Lokoja.
“I want to bring to your notice the inhuman treatment the security officials at the Government House gate have always meted out to journalists who go to the Government House to cover activities, for which they were invited.
“Of particular issue is the case in point on 14th November 2016 when security at the gate prevented the contingent of the correspondent’s chapel from accessing the Government house where they were billed to cover a function.”
The letter explained that the security agents on duty threatened to attack the harmless journalists who were out for their legitimate duty. It added that the security agents threatened to deal ruthlessly with the chairman of the chapel Alhaji Obansa.
According to the union it took the intervention of other members who prevented the securities from causing bodily harm on their chairman.
“Consequent upon this the Correspondent Chapel that is a conglomerate of all the National newspapers and broadcast houses, has decided to suspend all coverages of Government activities in Government House till further notice, because our Lives are more important to us.”
Obansa said “it is worrisome how the security agents are always hostile to our members. Even when they see us with our official vehicle, they still insist on harassing us. They say they are doing their work! they should also allow us do ours.” He told this medium.