THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has condemned the harassment of its member by officers of the Nigeria Police Force during the #EndSARS anniversary protests in the state.
A correspondent of Daily Post, an online medium in the state, Sikiru Obarayese was on Wednesday attacked by policemen while covering the #ENDSARS protest in Osogbo.
Obarayese was also beaten, arrested and arraigned in court by the police for ‘video recording’ the clampdown on the #EndSARS protesters.
Reacting, the NUJ in Osun demanded for apology from the Osun Police Command over the unlawful arrest and subsequent arraignment of its member.
In a statement issued by the Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin, the union condemned the arrest and arraignment, describing it as an attack on press freedom and gross violation of the fundamental rights of the journalist.
Specifically, the union decried the attitude of the Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, Mr Akinloye Oyegbade, for arresting a journalist who was performing his professional duties and the speed of the arraignment.
It called on Nigeria Police to be civil in its approach and stop exercising unnecessary force on citizens performing legitimate duties, advising them to focus only on criminal elements, as the Union could no longer tolerate abuse and harassment of its members.
The statement urged the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Olokode to call his men and officers to order and educate them on the place of media in the task of policing the state.
It also warned that if the command fails to caution his men and officers against intimidation and harassment of journalists, the union might not have any other option than to stop reportage of all activities of the police in Osun.
