Warri NUJ issues 7-day ultimatum to Army over torture of journalist

Warri Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Chief of Army Staff and the Commander, 3 Battalion Effurun to issue an apology over the manhandling of a senior journalist in the town.

Elder Emmanuel Ogoigbe was reported to have been tortured until he slumped into coma by soldiers from the 3 battalion of the Nigerian Army last Saturday. They allegedly forced him to drink and swim in stagnant drainage water.

Reports have it that Ogoigbe attracted the anger of the soldiers at a checkpoint in Okoribi Quarters, Off Uti Street, Effurun, for alerting them of a possible break down of law and order. But for some good Samaritans, who rushed him to a private clinic for urgent medical attention, the seasoned journalist would have passed on.

Reacting in a statement issued at the end of an emergency meeting in Warri by the union Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire, Warri NUJ described the attack as unwarranted, calling on the Nigerian Army to sanction those involved in the despicable act.

The statement reads, “We want to state our displeasure on the un­warranted attack on our colleague who was only carrying out his constitu­tional duties of collaborating with security agen­cies in the country to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

“We vehemently frown at the situation whereby military personnel who are meant to protect lives and property turnaround and begin to brutalise, molest and sometimes kill the people they are meant to protect.”

The NUJ Warri Correspondents chapel, also called on the Chief of Army Staff and the Commander, 3 Battalion to fish out the culprits and call them to order to forestall a recurrence of the act.

On its part, the Delta State Council of the NUJ through its Chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor described as unacceptable attack on any journalists for whatever reason, noting that the era of military brutali­sation of journalists was over.

“We want to make it clear that we are no longer in a military era where soldiers maim and kill in­nocent citizens at will. The NUJ will no longer stand and fold its hands and watch the military maim and kill the people they have sworn to protect,” it added.

[Daily Trust]