The Nasarawa State correspondent of the Daily Trust, Joseph Hir, was on Friday attacked by suspected thugs at the inauguration ceremony of the governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

The incident allegedly took place at about 11.28 am in the presence of the governor just as he was about taking the oath of office.

Neither the governor nor his aides allegedly did anything to save the reporter as he was beaten by the thugs.

The thugs who were in large numbers wore t-shirts with the inscription, TA’AL, an acronym of the governor’s political structure, boldly inscribed on them.

Hir told www.icirnigeria.org on phone that his waist was dislocated in the unprovoked attack and he had to be rushed to the hospital to treat wounds sustained in the incident.

He said he had been treated and discharged but added that he was yet to get over his injuries and shock. According to the reporter, two thugs marched toward him while he standing with other reporters by the elevated platform where the governor was taking the oath of office.

“They ordered me to follow them. I politely asked if there was any problem. There was no answer from any of them. Instead, they pounced on me, and lifted me unto their shoulders and made to take me away,” the reporter said in a feeble voice.

Hir said the thugs pounced on him, beating him up and seizing his media gadgets, and attempted to drag him away before officers and men of the police, and Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, led by the state police public relations officer, PPRO, Umaru Ismaila, came to his rescue.

No reaction could be obtained from the Nassarawa state government as at the time of filing this report.