Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
The first year #EndSARS memorial protests that took place across the country on October 20, 2021, was characterized by various forms of attacks against journalists including brutalization, harassment, arrest and prevention from covering the events at different locations, by security operatives.
Journalists who were on ground to cover the event at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos went through series of attackers from men of the Nigerian Police Force.
Among those manhandled and arrested was Mr. Bisola Alawode, a journalist attached to Legit TV.
Mr. Alawode was hit by police officers who later dragged him by his belt into their parked van.
Also, a PM News reporter, Mr. Taiwo Okanlawon, covering the memorial was beaten and harassed by policemen. The reporter was doing his job when the police suddenly descended on him.
The Arise TV crew of Adefemi Akinsanya and Ope Adenihun were also beaten and harassed at the same venue. They were ordered to pull down the drone they were using to cover the event. Policemen also barred The Punch Newspaper correspondent, Ms Adebimpe Olajiga, from covering the protest.
These incidents of attacks on journalists mark a repeat of the assault on the media during the #EndSars protests in October 2020.
