The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the assault and arrest of journalists covering the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of those detained and replacement of damaged work equipment.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, the union described the actions of security operatives as “a direct attack on press freedom and democracy.”
Lens News learnt that the journalists, including two correspondents from AFP, were reportedly manhandled and their cameras seized while covering the protest near the Federal Secretariat.
The NUJ urged security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of journalists to report freely, noting that such repeated acts of intimidation could tarnish Nigeria’s image globally.
The union further demanded that the authorities investigate the incident and compensate the affected reporters for their damaged tools.
