IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), [email protected] [2]

[CPJ sent the following letter to Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo,
condemning the recent attack on journalists by government security forces
and urging his excellency to ensure a thorough investigation.]

January 6, 2005

President Olusegun Obasanjo
c/o Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW
Washington DC, 20008

By fax: (202) 362-6552

Your Excellency:

The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by the recent
violent attack on journalists by government security forces. On Tuesday,
January 4, police acting as security at a meeting of the National Executive
Council of Your Excellency's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the
capital, Abuja, assaulted at least 10 journalists who were covering the
meeting.

According to local news reports and media organizations, police attacked a
group of journalists with batons and gun butts when they moved forward to
photograph the arrival of Chris Ngige, the embattled governor of southern
Anambra State. Segun Jacob Olatunji, a reporter for the private daily
Nigerian Tribune, was beaten unconscious, and had to be hospitalized
following the attack.

Other journalists targeted in the attack included Yomi Odunuga, Abuja bureau
chief of the private daily Punch; Ibrahim Samaila, a photographer for Punch;
Francis Ojo, a photographer for the private Daily Champion; Kennedy
Egbonodje, of the private Daily Trust; Akin Osimolade and Sunday Adah of the
private weekly magazine Tell; Gbenga Abiodun, a photographer for the private
Daily Independent; Abayomi Fayese, a photographer for the private daily
Guardian; and Monday Emoni, a photographer for the private daily Comet.

Several of the journalists' cameras were damaged, including those belonging
to Innocent Okafor, a photographer working for the private daily ThisDay,
and George Edemevughe, a cameraman for the privately-owned Channels
Television, according to the Lagos-based press freedom organization Media
Rights Agenda (MRA).

According to The Guardian, police commissioner Lawrence Alobi, who oversaw
police security at the PDP meeting, said that the journalists' movements had
threatened security at the event. Police claimed they acted on the orders of
PDP officials, MRA reported.

As an organization of journalists dedicated to defending the rights of our
colleagues worldwide, CPJ condemns this brutal treatment of journalists who
were merely doing their job. We urge Your Excellency to ensure that this
outrageous attack by government security forces is thoroughly investigated,
and that those responsible are punished. Journalists in Nigeria must be free
to cover events and issues of public concern without fear of reprisals.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director

CC:
His Excellency Professor George A. Obiozor, Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists
Media Rights AGenda
American Society of Newspaper Editors
Amnesty International
Article 19 (United Kingdom)
Artikel 19 (The Netherlands)
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Freedom Forum
Freedom House
Human Rights Watch
Index on Censorship
International Center for Journalists
International Federation of Journalists
International PEN
International Press Institute
Michael G. Kozak, United States Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor
The Newspaper Guild
The North American Broadcasters Association
Overseas Press Club
Reporters Sans Frontières
The Society of Professional Journalists
World Association of Newspapers
World Press Freedom Committee