Mr. Emmanuel Nwazue, a correspondent of Afia TV in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, was on June 3, 2024, attacked and assaulted by security guards attached to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on Akanu Ibiam Way (Bank Road), Umuahia, while covering the indefinite strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Mr. Nwazue explained that he was interviewing residents to get their thoughts on the industrial action when two FCMB guards approached him. He had asked some bank customers who were visibly frustrated by the strike, to move a few miles away from the bank premises for the interview to avoid capturing the bank building on camera.
During the interview, the security guards disrupted the scene, demanding that Nwazue hands over his camera. When he refused and attempted to leave, the guards blocked his path, resulting in a physical altercation.
Mr. Nwazue recounted being beaten by the guards and pushed around until he fell onto the main road, and narrowly avoided being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Passers-by and witnesses, including the interviewee, intervened to rescue him from the ill-treatment being melted on him by the security guards.
He sustained an ankle dislocation and damage to his camera equipment during the assault. He reported the incident to both his media outlet and the police in Abia State.
Mr. Nwazue, who said he was just recovering from lumbar spondylosis, expressed concern that the attack could aggravate his pre-existing medical condition.
