The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria has condemned strongly, the reported gun-attack on journalists who were covering the Lagos State rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
The Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade in a statement made available to the Next Edition expressed concerns that journalists have become endangered species even in the line of duty.
He recalled news reports had listed the group political editor of The Nation Newspaper, Emmanuel Oladesu, NewsTelegraph correspondent; Temitope Ogunbanke and Ibile Television cameraman, Abiodun Yusuf to be among those that were affected by the unwelcome activities of gun wielding elements.
Noting though that Oladesu, who was hit by a stray bullet, was receiving treatment in hospital and in stable condition, Arogundade, reminded all political parties that the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage obligates them to ensure the safety of journalists covering their activities including campaigns.
IPC Director therefore called on the Lagos APC to urgently take appropriate steps to apprehend the alleged perpetrators of the bizarre attack with a view to handing them over to the law enforcement agencies for immediate prosecution, also as provided by the Code of Election Coverage.
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He further cautioned all journalists covering the ongoing campaigns to keep themselves abreast of all safety measures and learn to stay away from political activities where rival gangs engage in show of force especially through display of weapons.
“Journalists covering the elections should also bear in mind that they constitute dangerous assignments requiring them to take insurance cover especially from their employers.
“IPC appeals to the security agents on electoral duty, especially the Police, to consider the protection of journalists as part of their responsibility as envisaged by and indeed provided for by the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage”, he added.
