IPC, MRA condemn molestation in Lagos, Ekiti

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered investigation into Sunday’s attack on journalists on Lagos Island that left some injured and the press crew bus badly damaged.

The incident occurred between Ebute-Ero and Adeniji, Iga-Iduganran, during All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s visit to the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, yesterday, said Governor Sanwo-Olu had directed that those involved should be fished out and made to face the law.

Besides, he said the government would pick up the hospital bills of those injured in the incident. 

“Lagos State Government condemns the incident. We hold the media in high esteem and the government has always ensured that they have a conducive environment to perform their duties. Nobody or group will be allowed to destroy our cordial relationship with the media. Lagos has no room for hooligans,” he said.

MEANWHILE, Sanwo-Olu has paid an unscheduled visit to the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in the state’s secretariat to empathise with the attacked journalists.

The governor, who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde and other aides, including his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, urged the journalists not to be deterred by the hazards of their job.

RELATEDLY, the International Press Centre (IPC) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) have condemned the attack.

Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, in a statement, charged both the police and Lagos State Government to bring the perpetrators to justice to serve as deterrent to those who may be planning similar attacks on journalists in the count down to the 2023 elections.

Besides, the IPC also decried the arrest and detention of Jeremiah Omoniyi, a campus journalist, who was deployed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) to cover the Ekiti governorship polls.

Arogundade said the conduct of the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives amounted to undue harassment and obstruction. MRA Programmes Director, Ayode Longe, said the attack is condemnable in all ramifications because it was unprovoked.

[GuardianNG]