The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, has condemned the attack by police officer on Francis Ogbonna, a Cameraman with Arise Television.
Ogbonna, a Cameraman with Arise Television, on Sunday, October 11, 2020, was attacked and brutalized while interviewing protesters on an #EndSARS rally at Abuja.
A video recording by the victim and his colleague, Ferdinard Duroha reveals that Ogbonna was attacked by police officers who beat him and in the process inflicted him with an injury, resulting in blood gushing out of his head. The police officers also damaged his camera.
IPC in a statement described the attack as unwarranted and called for arrest and prosecution of the culprit.
IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said, “We condemn the uncalled attack on the journalist while carrying out his legitimate duty of covering a protest.”
IPC is immediately calling on the Inspector General of Police for his intervention on this incident and many others perpetrated by police officers. He should ensure that the culprit is punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Arogundade, also enjoined the Inspector General of Police on the need to educate police officers on the field to create a safe environment for media professionals to carry out their duties.
