THE International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the deployment of excessive force against journalists covering the nationwide protests at Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Several journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protests were shot at on Saturday, August 3 by masked security operatives. Although, the journalists narrowly escaped unhurt, bullets rattled one of their cars.
Reacting to the incident in a statement signed by its president, Musikilu Mojeed on Sunday, August 4, the institute chided the security operatives for shooting at journalists despite wearing vests which had “PRESS” written on them.
“Many had cameras and drove vehicles with press written on them,” the statement added.
“Saturday’s shooting is even more worrisome as it came a day after the Chief of Defence Staff said on live television that journalists should stop giving protesters publicity.”
The IPI demanded an immediate investigation of the shooting incident targeted at journalists and call for the identification and punishment of officers involved, reported to be personnel of the police and the State Security Service (SSS).
“The media has a responsibility to cover the ongoing protests across the country, and journalists must be allowed to carry out their constitutionally mandated role without interference and intimidation by anyone.
“Targeting and shooting at journalists carrying out their lawful duties is tantamount to taking a wild shot at our democracy and it should be condemned by all.
“The shooting happened at the main entrance of the MKO Abiola stadium. The firing of what is suspected to be live ammunition is unacceptable and is strongly condemned.”
The IPI noted that the shooting appeared premeditated as the journalists were particularly targeted and shot twice within minutes at the scene.
The ICIR reported that operatives consisting of the police, army and State Security Service (SSS) reportedly shot directly at journalists covering the #EndBadGovernace protest at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja on Saturday, August 3.
The incident happened shortly after the operatives had successfully chased away the few protesters who gathered at the venue on the third day of the nationwide protest.
A video journalist with The ICIR, Johnson Fatunbi who was at the venue of the shooting confirmed the incident.
According to him, the security operatives who were in masks came in several unmarked vehicles and started shooting to scare people away from the protest grounds.
Another journalist with The ICIR, Mustapha Usman narrated that the police personnel blocked the road in front of the stadium.
“They are shooting at us, they are stationed everywhere,” Usman said in a distress message sent to The ICIR from the venue.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.