07/06/2024- The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) strongly condemns the attack on Mr. Emmanuel Nwazue, a Journalist with Abia state-based Afia TV, by security guards attached to a branch of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Akanu Ibiam Way (Bank Road), Umuahia, Abia state Monday the 3rd of June, 2024.
In a chat with the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), Mr Nwazue said he was at the bank to monitor compliance with the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday the 3rd of May, 2024 when he was attacked by two security guards working with the bank.
According to Mr Nwazue, the security guards who accosted him while interviewing respondents around the bank area, demanded that he hands over his camera to them and when he refused upon explaining to them that he was a journalist began to beat him to the point of injury.
However, efforts made by the CJID to get the reaction of the FCMB to the incident were unresponded as of press time.
CWPPF views the attack on Mr Nwazue as a blatant violation of his fundamental human rights and also disregard for the constitution of Nigeria which gives journalists the freedom to inform the public and hold power accountable. Such a condemnable act from the security guards is totally unacceptable.
CWPPF demands that a thorough investigation should be conducted into the incident by the management of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and that the two security guards be brought to account and made to face the consequences of their actions.
We also demand a public apology to Mr Emmanuel Nwazue from FCMB.
Attacks on journalists in the course of their duty have no place in a democracy and must be shunned by all.
Signed:
CWPPF Secretariat
For:
CWPPF members
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