Adisturbing video has emerged showing officers from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) brutally assaulting crew members of News Central TV while they were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
The incident, the TV channel revealed occurred at the Ministry of Finance junction, despite the journalists wearing clear identification and clothing indicating their profession.
The video footage, shared on social media, seen by SaharaReporters, depicts the officers attacking the crew members, including the driver and a cameraman, without apparent provocation.
News Central TV has condemned the attack, stating that their crew was assaulted while attempting to provide accurate and professional coverage of the protest.
In a post on X handle, the channel wrote: “#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Our crew was assaulted by officers of the Civil Defence today at the Ministry of Finance junction in Abuja while covering protests to ensure accurate and professional reporting.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for greater protection and respect for journalists covering protests and public events.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest is part of a broader movement demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained since 2017.
The protests championed by a human rights activist Comrade Omoyele Sowore, have drawn attention to issues of human rights, police brutality, and government accountability in Nigeria.
The assault on News Central TV crew members has raised concerns about journalist safety in Nigeria. Several journalists have been attacked, harassed, or detained while covering protests and public events, sparking calls for greater protection and respect for the press.
The police arrested two AFP journalists—an American, Nicholas Roll, and a Nigerian identified as John—while they were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
However, while Nick was released earlier, John Okunyomih was detained but later released.
Okunyomih was manhandled and assaulted by security operatives who also damaged his camera and other working gadgets.
Speaking to SaharaReporters shortly after his release, the journalist narrated how he was arrested while covering the protest near the Transcorp Hilton area of the Federal Capital Territory.
“I have been released. They damaged my camera, seized my mobile phone, and forcefully removed my gas mask,” he said.
“I was covering the protest near Transcorp Hilton when they came and arrested me. It took the intervention of the French Embassy, who spoke to them while they were holding me. They cautioned them not to touch any journalists.”
The police had arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, over the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
Confirming the development, human rights activist and convener of the Take It Back Movement, Omoyele Sowore, demanded their immediate release by the Nigerian police authorities.
“The PoliceNG team deployed to brutalise #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, as well as innocent bystanders,” he posted on his social media handles Monday.
“We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emanuel and others. We are at FCT COMMAND CID. Myself, Fine Boy and others. No 1 Zaria Street, Gariki 2, Abuja,” Ejimakor also posted on Monday morning.
Watch video:
