Journalists stop coverage in Ebonyi’s Ezza North after violent incident

The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has ordered an immediate cessation of coverage in Ezza North Local Government Area following violent attacks on journalists.

The directive was issued in a communiqué after the State Council Congress on Tuesday at the Sam Egwu Press Centre in Abakaliki.

The communiqué, signed by council chairman Comrade Sampson Nwafor and Secretary Comrade Nnamdi Akpa, was circulated to all union members.

This action was prompted by the June 15, 2024, assault on Mr. Uchenna Inya of Sun Newspaper, Chinelo Okoro, and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN Unity FM, Abakaliki, by suspected hoodlums in Nkomoro community during a coronation event.

The NUJ condemned the attacks, labeling them as “crude, barbaric, and a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence journalists.”

The union expressed disappointment in the Nkomoro community’s lack of response or sympathy towards the victims, suggesting that the attack might have been orchestrated by the community.

To ensure the safety of its members, the NUJ has suspended all journalistic activities in Ezza North until the attackers compensate the victims and issue an official apology to the union.

Furthermore, the union resolved to discipline any member who disregards this order. The NUJ also called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in the attack, including Oscar Nwafor and his associates, to serve as a deterrent against future violence towards journalists.