By Amos Tauna
Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), has condemned the attack on the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna State council by suspected political thugs.
A statement by AMDF Coordinator, Sekyen Dadik, described the Sunday attack as highly unruly and indicates the increasing threat on press freedom in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
“Kaduna state in the last two years has become an unfriendly environment for journalism practice as a number of journalists have been threatened, attacked, taken to court and jailed.
“The last attack was clearly targeted at journalists as the thugs who wielded dangerous weapons matcheted a cameraman with Liberty Television, Lawal Muhammed, injured other reporters and damaged several items.
“The NUJ Kaduna state Council Chairman, Adamu Yusuf confirmed that other things missing and damaged at the secretariat include handsets, midgets, doors, windows, chairs and tables.
“As an organization that promotes press freedom, AMDF identifies with the Kaduna State council of Nigerian Union of journalists and calls on politicians to respect the rights of journalists to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation.
“NUJ Secretariat is not a political ground as such every political difference should be settled at political secretariats not at the NUJ Council secretariat with journalists as victims of the attack.
It is unfortunate that this attack is coming at a time when efforts of Nigeria journalists at being watch dogs of the society should be appreciated and encouraged.
“AMDF therefore calls on Security agents and the Kaduna State government to be sincere in its commitment to identify and deal with the sponsors and perpetrators of such uncanny acts against journalists as this will go a long way in rebuilding the confidence and trust of journalists in state,” she observes.
