The International Press Centre, IPC, has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP to intervene in the attack on Francis Ogbonna, a Cameraman with Arise Television, while covering the EndSARS protest in Abuja.
In a press statement issued by IPC, the Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade while condemning the attack, said police officers need to be properly educated on creating safe spaces for media practitioners to operate.
“We condemn the uncalled attack on the journalist while carrying out his legitimate duty of covering a protest.”
“IPC is immediately calling on the Inspector General of Police for his intervention on this incident and many others perpetrated by police officers. He should ensure that the culprit is punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Arogundade, also enjoined the Inspector General of Police on the need to educate police officers on the field to create a safe environment for media professionals to carry out their duties.
According to reports, the police attacked and brutalized Ogbonna while interviewing protesters during an #EndSARS rally at Abuja.
A video recording by the victim and his colleague, Ferdinard Duroha reveals that Ogbonna was attacked by police officers who beat him and in the process inflicted him with an injury, resulting in blood gushing out of his head. The police officers also damaged his camera.