Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Officials Assault Journalist

0
95
Mr. Edwin Philip
Breeze FM 99.9

On March 18, 2023, Mr. Edwin Philip, a journalist working with Breeze FM 99.9 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, was brutally beaten up by officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) while covering the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

Edwin disclosed that some members of one of the political parties were trying to disenfranchise voters through intimidation and deception. He said while reporting election proceeding live to his station, Breeze FM Situation Room, he got a call that voters at the polling unit 061, Chiroma ward, Lafia East, were asked to return at 2.30 pm to vote after being accredited, which is contrary to the new electoral law.

He decided to seek help to remedy the situation and approached officials of the NSCDC to complain about the issue. He said when he got to the venue, he met Ibrahim Abdullahi, (Adon garin) Chief of Staff to Emir of Lafia who became violent, beating some electorates and he so moved away from Adon garin.

According to him, the Adon garin left the venue only to return with officials of NSCDC whom he ordered to beat him and throw him out of the vicinity. Whereupon the NSCDC officials descended on beating him mercilessly and leaving him in a pool of blood. He suffered serious injuries to his head as a result of the assault.

He said that the NSCDC officials took his wristwatch, fez cap and his mobile phone but that they later return his mobile phone to him.

Through a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, NSCDC Nasarawa State, Jerry Victor, on March 19, the Nasarawa State Commandant of NSCDC, Abbas Muhammed, condemned the attack on Edwin describing it as a shameful act.

The Commandant apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Nasarawa State Council and the general public, assuring that such an incident would not repeat itself. He vowed to investigate the incident to fish out the perpetrators of the attack on the journalist.

He directed that Edwin be immediately given medical attention with a promise to settle all bills incurred in order to avoid any health complications.