IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - NIGERIA

12 November 2004

Photojournalist assaulted by security agents

SOURCE: Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Lagos

(MRA/IFEX) - On 11 November 2004, a photojournalist with the Lagos-based
daily "Vanguard", Diran Oshe, was assaulted by security agents who also
smashed his camera as he attempted to take photographs of Major Hamza
Al-Mustapha, the former chief security officer to the late Nigerian head of
state, General Sani Abacha.

The incident took place at the premises of the High Court in Ikeja, Lagos,
where Major Al-Mustapha is standing trial along with four others for his
alleged involved in the attempted murder of Alex Ibru, publisher of the
privately-owned national daily "The Guardian".

As Oshe attempted to take photographs of Major Al-Mustapha, the security
agents attacked him, hitting and kicking him repeatedly. His camera was
taken from him and smashed on the ground. The broken camera was later
returned to him by one of the security agents.

For further information, contact Ayode Longe, Media Rights Agenda, 10
Agboola Aina Street, off Amore Street, Ikeja, P.O. Box 52113, Ikoyi, Lagos,
Nigeria, tel: +234 1 493 6033, fax: +234 1 493 0831, e-mail:
[email protected] [2], Internet: http://www.internews.org/mra [3]

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MRA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MRA.
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