The secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council was on Sunday, July 30, attacked by some yet to be identified political thugs.
The thugs, during the attack injured journalists, vandalised properties and disrupted a press briefing by some All Progressives Congress’ (APC) chieftains in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the thugs overpowered policemen at the entrance to the NUJ secretariat where senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi addressed a press conference to reject the result of the party’s delegate election.
The thugs wielding dangerous weapons inflicted injury to the head of a cameraman with Liberty Television, Lawal Muhammed, damaged several cameras and injured two other reporters.
The thugs also broke doors, windows and damaged chairs and tables at the secretariat.
The whole trouble started when the Gabassawa Divisional Police Officer, CSP Sadiq Abdullahi, allegedly allowed the thugs to enter into the venue.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Agyole Abeh, during his visit to the NUJ secretariat after the attack, pledged that the police would apprehend the perpetrators.
The commissioner said that investigation would commence immediately and those found wanting would be prosecuted.
The state governor, Nasir El-Rufai in response to the attack, condemned the attack and directed the security agencies to immediately investigate the cause of the incident.
The governor through his Senior Special Assistant, Mr Samuel Aruwan, noted that, “Journalists must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression.’’
