No fewer than 10 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State on Saturday launched a brutal attack on a practicing journalist in the State, Izunna Okafor, accusing media practitioners of being part of Nigeria’s problems.
The journalist, it was gathered was in the same bus with the NSCDC officials, who were conveyed together with him from Awka to Nnewi, venue of the Anambra South Rally of the Soludo Ambassadors; while the same bus (provided by organizers of the event) brought them back to Awka.
Narrating his ugly experience to newsmen, Okafor said trouble started when he wanted to alight at the UNIZIK Junction, Awka, on their way back from Nnewi.
He said the officials had earlier complained of hunger and frustration while returning from the rally.
He said, “After severally informing and reminding the driver that I will alight at the UNIZIK junction, he ignored the request on the instruction of the Civil Defence officers, who insisted that everybody must remain in the bus and follow them to the very last bus stop where they themselves would alight.
“It was until I spoke with a loud voice before some other civil defence officials and some attendees of the rally in the bus then told the driver to drop me.
“Immediately I alighted, I couldn’t see my second phone which fell out inside the bus while the driver was speeding. While I informed them that my phone fell off inside the bus and wanted to pick it, one of the officials attached to the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) ordered the driver to speed off.
“Meanwhile, my hand was stretched to pick the phone from the person who volunteered to pick it for me when one of the officers furiously and unexpectedly jammed the door of the bus, leaving me with severe hand injuries.”
Okafor, while in severe pains said he had no other option than to board another commercial transport to get to the spot where the officers had announced would be their last bus stop.
“When I got there and sought explanation from the officer that jammed the door for his action, he began questioning what gave me the boldness to ask him such question as a uniformed and armed man.
“As the altercation escalated, the officer cocked his gun, while his colleagues, numbering about 11, rushed out and descended on me, kicking and hitting me with gun heads.
“It took quick intervention of some other bystanders, including Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Ossy Onuko, to calm the situation,” he added.
Okafor further narrated that despite eventually retrieval of his phone and apology from Onuko, the NSCDC officers continued threatening him, vowing to track and further deal with him.
“They accused Nigerian journalists of being major part of Nigeria’s problem, while they stand and suffer under the sun to protect the nation and her citizens.
“They further boasted that no one can stop them from unleashing their mayhem on me, insisting that anyone who attempts to do so should first care for their welfare before advising them,” he noted.
Okafor, who said he could identify the officers involved in the attack, is currently seeking medical attention as at the time of recounting his ordeal to reporters.
He added that he had since reported the incident to the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command of the NSCDC, Edwin Okadigbo, who promised to look into the matter.
