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Rivers Journalists Demand Justice: NUJ Issues 14 Days Ultimatum Over Police Brutality
The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has firmly demanded a public apology from the Rivers State Police Command within 14 days, following a disturbing incident where five journalists were violently attacked during a peaceful demonstration in Port Harcourt.
The union has warned that failure to comply will result in a comprehensive media blackout across the state.
In a press release jointly signed by Comrade Paul Bazia, Chairman of the NUJ Rivers State Council, and Dr Ijeoma Tubosia, the Council Secretary, the union expressed its outrage at the actions of police personnel involved in the incident.
The five media professionals affected by the attack were Charles Opurum from Channels TV, Allwell Ene of Naija FM, Soibelemari Oruwari of Nigeria Info, Ikezam Godswill from AIT, and Femi Ogunkhilede of Super FM. These individuals were reportedly covering a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt when police officers descended on them without justification.
According to witnesses, the journalists were tear-gassed, with Charles Opurum particularly singled out beaten and unlawfully detained by security operatives.
The NUJ categorised the entire episode as “barbaric and inhumane,” branding it a flagrant breach of the journalists’ constitutional rights and professional responsibilities.
The union, known for its advocacy in defending press freedom and ethical journalism, has described the assault as an unacceptable violation of human rights and journalistic freedom. “As society’s watchdog, the NUJ cannot stand by while its members are brutalised for doing their jobs,” the statement read. “The continued harassment of journalists will no longer be tolerated. We say, enough is enough.”
The NUJ also pointed out that this was not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of hostility towards media practitioners in the region. The union warned that such treatment of the press is not only unconstitutional but also dangerous for democracy and public accountability.
As part of its demands, the NUJ has insisted that all officers who participated in the assault be named and prosecuted according to Nigerian law. It called on the police authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is served swiftly.
The union has further urged the Rivers State Police Command to take proactive steps in rebuilding trust with the media. According to the NUJ, the police must reaffirm their commitment to protecting citizens, including journalists, rather than infringing on their rights with violence and intimidation.
Despite the severity of the incident, the NUJ emphasised its willingness to maintain a constructive working relationship with the police. The union highlighted that cooperation between security agencies and the media is essential for peace, transparency, and national development.
“We remain committed to dialogue and collaboration,” said the NUJ. “However, we urge the police not to jeopardise this fragile relationship with further hostility.”
In light of the situation, the NUJ has called on its members to remain composed and continue to uphold the laws of the land while the union pursues justice through official channels. It expressed optimism that the police command would act responsibly by taking decisive corrective measures.
The Anambra Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School, Awka, for allegedly selling the position of head prefect during a student election.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.
According to the commissioner, the school reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil aspiring to become head prefect in the primary section.
Chuma-Udeh condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to “sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle.”
According to her, such practices are unacceptable under the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
She said that an investigation was ongoing to examine the school’s broader management practices, with the possibility of further actions based on the findings.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and continued detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure, describing it as a violation of due process.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Atiku said Kazaure’s detention reflects a brazen disregard for the rule of law, accusing the anti-graft agency of operating beyond the limits of the Nigerian Constitution.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC is increasingly becoming a tool for political repression, citing what he called a troubling pattern of lawlessness under the current administration.
He said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness, arresting and detaining citizens with brazen disregard for due process and without offering any justification for its actions.”
Atiku also referenced the recent arrest of social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, whose release followed intense public pressure. He suggested that Kazaure’s case fits into a broader trend of state institutions being used to silence dissenting voices.
“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure.
“Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.
“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.
“Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law. The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is unequivocal on this matter—every detainee must be promptly charged to court or released. By once again trampling on the fundamental rights of a Nigerian citizen, the EFCC is entrenching itself deeper into the mire of impunity and constitutional delinquency.
“It’s deafening silence regarding the arrest of Hon. Kazaure, a man who represented the good people of Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi federal constituency, lays bare the agency’s contempt for transparency and justice.
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ignited social media buzz after posting a 15-second TikTok video set to the trending song Omo Ologo — a track closely linked with President Bola Tinubu.
The video, shared on her TikTok page on May 8, shows the embattled lawmaker smiling and playfully interacting with the camera. Captioned, “Just for fun, song choked,” the post has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as a light-hearted moment, while others suspect a deeper political undertone.
The video comes just days after the song Omo Ologo was performed live by Kano-based singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara during a dinner in Katsina State held in honour of President Tinubu, who was on a two-day working visit to assess security in the region.
The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba, praises Tinubu as a victorious leader who has outlasted his critics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s TikTok post follows a series of dramatic exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation that triggered heated debate in the National Assembly.
In what appeared to be a bold response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan recently posted a sarcastic apology video to Akpabio on Facebook, in which she claimed she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”
The post was accompanied by a short video, further fueling controversy.
Akpabio’s legal team has since approached a federal high court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the senator to delete the post from her social media pages.
In a counter-affidavit filed by her lawyer, Jubril Okutepa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp described the motion as an attempt to silence and intimidate her.
The court is expected to rule on the matter on May 12.