Journalist Beaten for Covering State Enforcement of Use of Facemask

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Sikiru Obarayese
Sikiru Obarayese

Sikiru Obarayese, Daily Post’s correspondent in Osun State, was beaten and injured while taking photographs in Osogbo by policemen attached to the Osun State Joint Task Force (JTF), which is tasked with enforcing the compulsory use of face masks in the state.

According to Sikiru, he sustained open injuries on his left elbow and right ankle, pointing out that the operatives beat him while carrying out his duty and in the presence of the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke.

A policeman attached to the JTF reportedly approached the reporter and requested him to stop taking pictures of the task force members harassing members of the public and beating people with the baton.

The reporter said the Joint Task Force led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs approached him and asked why he was taking pictures to which he said he responded that he was in a public place and that he is a journalist.

He said while bringing out his identity card from his pocket, a policeman attached to the JTF confronted him and said, “you are mad, where is your ID card” and attempted to snatch his phone.

He said four policemen swooped on him and started slapping and hitting him with their batons in my joints, hands and legs aiming to destroy his phone. He said when he fell, they began trampling on him and he heard the Commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy ordering them to beat him and take him along with those they had arrested.

He was later released when some journalists at the venue approached them and identified him as a journalist. He was later taken to and treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.