NUJ condemns attack on members, calls on security agents to fish out and punish perpetrators

By: Lovins Yakubu, April 29, 2022

Cmr Paul Jatau addressing a press conference on Friday

The Plateau State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned in strong terms the attack on 14 of its members who were in the entourage of Senator Ladi Nora Daduut (representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly) to Namu, Qua'an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday by suspected hoodlums.

Addressing a press conference at the NUJ press centre Jos on Friday on the incident, the Chairman of NUJ Plateau State, Cmr Paul Jatau observed with total dismay and disappointment that the said journalists became subject of attack for reason other than carrying out their constitutional duty towards serving the society. "The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council condemns the unwarranted and unprovoked attack on its members who were there to serve the society. We wonder why journalists are being targeted while carrying out their legitimate duties".

He said that though no life was lost, the Union's Hummer Bus donated by the Plateau State Government was burnt alongside the Senator's pilot Hilux van. Consequently, the NUJ Chairman called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and punish them accordingly to serve as deterrent to others contemplating such action. "We indeed, call on government to come down hard on the perpetrators as Namu has become a hotbed of violence and criminality and the state cannot be afford to continue on that path", Jatau said.

Narrating how the incident occured, the Chairman stated that no sooner had Senator Daduut made to leave after commissioning an ICT Hub/E-Library when the road was blocked and they were immediately surrounded by the hoodlums.

The NUJ Chairman further narrated that the attackers claimed that four of their members were arrested by armed security men while the programme was ongoing.

He added that the hoodlums were said to have been angered by the arrest of a suspected wanted kidnap kingpin by security agencies, and thus decided to vent their anger on passers by and any innocent person they encountered.
Continuing, Jatau said, "The hoodlums then demanded that the senator must secure the release of their members before they would clear the roads.

"The hoodlums held the Senator and the journalists captive for over three hours before men of Operation Safe Haven intervened.

"While the Senator and her husband were rescued by the STF, the journalists scampered for safety with one of them sustaining an injury in the process", Cmr Jatau said.

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