The Nigeria Union of Journalists, South East Zone, has condemned the invasion of the home of a PUNCH Correspondent in Enugu State, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, by agents of the State Security Service(SSS)
The operatives on Saturday night, stormed the reporter’s home, seized his laptop and phones and kept him from filing any story for the newspaper.
Ubabukoh said the SSS agents blocked him at the entrance of his residence located around Trans-Ekulu area of Enugu. They then went with him into his apartment and held him hostage till the early hours of Sunday.
In a statement by its National Vice President (Zone C, South East), Christopher Isiguzo, the NUJ said it “observed with a sad note, the assault, harassment, curtail of fundamental human rights and hostage taking of the PUNCH correspondent in Enugu state, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, on Saturday night at about 11pm by men who claimed to be security operatives.
“The NUJ in the South East therefore notes that the action of the men was not only barbaric but repugnant and a clampdown on the fourth estate of the realm.
“This is indeed a return to the dark-age, and has made a caricature of the celebrated Freedom of Information Act, and the nation’s democracy which is supposed to guarantee fundamental human rights as well as the freedom of the press.
“Accordingly, we ask the Commissioner of Police, Director of the State Security Services as well as other relevant security agencies in Enugu state to commence full scale investigation into the human right abuse with a view to bringing those involved to punishment,” he said.
“We also call on the Enugu State Government to ensure that an enabling environment is provided for media practitioners in the state. “Finally, let it be noted the leadership of the NUJ in the South East will no longer fold its hands to watch as security agencies continue to unleash all forms of assault and intimidation on our members as they discharge their constitutional duty. “Only recently, men of the State Security Service and police in the state had assaulted Emma Nzomiwu of Daily Independent, Mike Agada of NAN who committed no offence but had religiously discharged their onerous duties.”
“We therefore urge our members to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation as the NUJ will continue to ensure that they are protected in the course of their duties,” the statement concluded.
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