The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has directed its members to immediately stop coverage of activities in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
The directive was contained in a communique signed by the council’s chairman, Comrade Sampson Nwafor and the Secretary, Comrade Nnamdi Akpa and issued after the State Council Congress held on Tuesday at the Sam Egwu Press Centre in Abakaliki.
Recall that Sun Newspaper reporter, Uchenna Inya, Chinelo Okoro, and Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN Unity FM, Abakaliki, were attacked at Nkomoro community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State on Saturday, June 15, 2024, by suspected hoodlums during coverage of a coronation event in the area.
The union condemned in the strongest terms the attack on three of its members, describing it as crude, barbaric, and a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue, and force journalists into self-censorship.
The Union added that this attitude indicates that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.
The council stated that the ban on coverage is necessary pending when relevant authorities and stakeholders of the council area prevail on the people of Nkomoro community, to adequately compensate the victims for their losses during the attack and tender an apology to them.