Security Officials Assault Newspaper Correspondent

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Mr Adebayo Waheed being manhandled by NSCDC officials
Mr Adebayo Waheed being manhandled by NSCDC officials

On January 24, 2014, in the premises of S.S Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija in Ibadan, south western Nigeria, officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) assaulted Mr. Adebayo Waheed, the Oyo State correspondent of “Leadership” newspaper.

Waheed had gone to cover the installation of the new Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin.  He was beaten up by the NSCDC officials who also tore his shirt.

Mr. Adebayo Waheed with his shirt torn by NSCDC officials
Mr. Adebayo Waheed with his shirt torn by NSCDC officials

Journalists, including Waheed were accredited to cover the ceremony but officials of the NSCDC denied them the right to carry out their work freely.

One of the NSCDC officials identified as A. J. Anjorin, threatened to seize and vandalise the journalists’ equipment should they go beyond a point from the podium.

When the retiring Bishop Alaba Job was handing over the Staff of Office to his successor, the journalists moved forward and took position to capture the moment but one of the NSCDC officials attacked them and particularly singled out Mr. Waheed whom they beat up and tore his shirt.