The secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council came under attack by political thugs on Sunday with journalists injured, properties vandalised and a press briefing by some All Progressives Congress’ chieftains in the state disrupted.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the thugs overpowered policemen at the entrance to the NUJ secretariat where senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi addressed a press conference to reject the result of the party’s delegate election.
Things reportedly went awry when the thugs invaded the venue, vandalising vehicles and inflicting injuries on one Lawal Mohammed of Kaduna-based Liberty TV and an unnamed cameraman with the Africa Independent Television (AIT) in the process.
However, the Acting State Publicity Secretary, Salisu Tanko, has scored the congress high, describing the dissenters as “disgruntled elements who want to tarnish the reputation of the party.”
He particularly saluted the delegates, stalwarts and members for demonstrating cohesion and party spirit, adding that the state chapter of the APC fully welcomed the outcome.
Sani and his supporters, who alleged that what took place was selection and not election, were, however, smuggled out of the venue un-lynched by a reinforced police team while the victims were hospitalised.
The Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, assured the citizenry that the incident would be probed. “We will investigate the matter,” he stated.
In the meantime, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned the incident. He, therefore, ordered an enquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the fracas.
El-Rufai also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect newsmen in the course of duty.
The directives were contained in a statement by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan. He warned that the state government would not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens.
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