Just In: Ebonyi NUJ bans coverage of Ezza North over attack on Journalists

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Nigeria Union of Journalists Ebonyi state chapter has banned Journalists from covering activities in entire Ezza North local government area of the state. The state chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor and Secretary, Comrade Nnamdi Akpa in a communique signed and made available to our Correspondent after their emergency Congress held at Dr Sam Egwu press Center explained that the decision was taken due to attack on Journalists at Nkomoro.

It would be recalled that Ebonyi state Correspondent of Sun Newspaper, Uchenna Inya, Dr. Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki, was attacked at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, by suspected hoodlums during a coverage of coronation event in the area. The Union condemned in strongest term the attack on three members of the Union and describes it as not just crude and barbaric, but a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue and force Journalists into self censorship. They bemoans the unconcerned attitude of the People of Nkomoro Community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathize with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident and added that the attitude was an indication to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.

They however directs Members of NUJ in Ebonyi State to henceforth desist from covering events in Ezza North LGA, pending when relevant authorities and Stakeholders of the Council Area prevail on the people of Nkomoro Community or better still, the perpetrators of this dastardly act to adequately compensate the victims for their losses during the attack and tender unreserved written apology to them and copy them as a body while resolved to sanction any member who flouts the directive. The Union added that it has noted the role said to had been played in the dastardly act by one Oscar Nwafor and his group, among Samuel Nnoko, Livinus Eze, Obiora Ezaka, Cletus Igwe and Joseph Oganyi, and called on the concern authority to arrest and persecute them to serve as deterrent to others.