By Gift Habib
The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, has called for prosecution of the Police personnel that assaulted Olukayode Jaiyeola, a Photojournalist with Punch Newspaper.
Jaiyeola was manhandled by the Police while covering a peaceful protest to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary at the Maryland Area of Lagos State.
The incident happened around 12:00 noon on October 1st 2020 when a policeman, Innocent Adadu was alleged to have hit Jaiyeola’s head with a baton, which immediately made him collapse, with blood gushing out of his injured skull.
IPC in a statement signed by its Program Officer/Safety Desk Officer, Melody Lawal demanded for the prosecution of the culprit.
The statement reads in part, “We condemn the unwarranted brutalization of the journalist in the course of his legitimate duty of covering a peaceful protest by a group of Nigerians.
“Although we commend the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu for his prompt intervention over the matter, we hereby demand that the culprit should be prosecuted so that the assaulted journalist could have justice.
“IPC again calls on police officers and other security operatives to create a safe environment for journalists and other media professionals to carry out their duties unhindered”.
