Journalists on their way to cover the presentation and acceptance of the presidential expression of interest and nomination form of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, narrowly escaped being shot as they were attacked by the security details attached to the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo yesterday.
The Nation reports that a convoy of the reporters was attacked at Aso Drive junction (close to the Three Arm Zone) as the Vice President, who was on his way back from Jumat prayer at the National Mosque, passed the junction.
A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Buba. K, triggered the attack when he ordered the arrest of Mr. Emman Ovuakporie, who is a Senior Correspondent with the Vanguard newspapers, claiming that the reporter beat a security cordon mounted by the security details of the Vice President.
Buba could not be convinced that one of the mobile policemen attached to the VP’s security convoy passed the journalist’s car.
Other journalists passing packed their cars and protested the undignified manner in which the policemen were manhandling the reporters, which caused a sizable gathering.
The Vice President’s security details were further annoyed on learning that the reporters were on official assignment to cover the presentation and acceptance of the presidential nomination form by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.
A mobile policeman, Corporal Ayubu Ayefu threatened to shoot a cameraman with Africa Independent Television (AIT), Femi Akinpelu, in an attempt to disperse the protesting journalists.
The Corporal (Ayubu Ayefu) pointed his cocked AK 47 rifle at the AIT cameraman as he attempted to film the incident.
“Look at my name tag; nothing will happen. If you don’t leave this place immediately with your camera and your vehicle, I will shoot you. Now move!”, the corporal ordered.
A senior Department of Security Service (DSS) operative saved the day when he witnessed the scene and alighted from his vehicle.
He appealed to the irate DSP Buba to release the detained journalist.
He said to Buba: “I came down because I recognised your face. Your boss was my classmate in the university, and I want to let you know that you are biting more than you can chew here”.
The detained reporter was eventually released by the Vice President’s security details after appeals from many quarters.
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