Following the nationwide hunger protest embarked upon by various youth groups and some civil society organisations from 1st of August, 2024 in a bid to demand key policy reforms by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in Nigeria, some innocent citizens have fallen victims of the protest in different parts of the country. Some of those affected mainly on the line of duty includes members of the fourth estate of the realm otherwise known as journalists.
The effect of the August national protest owing to the ever increasing rate of inflation which was further induced by the floating of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidy left in its shadows pains, destruction and the excesses of the government’s security agents. In Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory, several journalists suffered different degrees of harassment and crude brutality of the Police and other security operatives. Hilary Damissah, an editor at DigiVation Network was an unfortunate victim of the protest after been molested and left with injuries around under the Berger Bridge location in the city.
The editor was rattled by the use of tear-gas at close range from a Stationed Police Hilux van while trying to take photographs of some protesters and onlookers which the officers considered offensive to them. While trying to scamper to safety, he was further assaulted including the use of baton to bruise him as he sustained serious injury and deep cut on his pointer finger. He thereafter managed to scupper to a safe place with the help of some protesters while gasping for breath as he was afterwards rushed to a medical facility at the Kaura District area of Abuja for medication.
According to an eye witness at the scene of the event, the journalist was unfortunate because some moments before the incident, a combined team of the Nigerian Police and that of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had informed some of the protesters that the Berger location was not opened or approved for any anti-government protest. According to the security personnel, such an action would be resisted for what they described as “order from above”. “We are here to enforce law and ensure strict compliance to all the directives which forbids any demonstration around this place and anyone who refuses to obey will have themselves to blame” retorted a senior Police Officer whose name tag was not displayed on his uniform the eye witness stated.
Read Also: Protest: Not Everything Legal is Expedient
In a statement by the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), a Non-Governmental, Not for Profit organisation, where Hilary also serves as an Executive Director, the organisation condemned the actions of the Police and their fellow sister security bodies, describing it as “disgraceful, distasteful and a violation of international conventions which guarantees the protection of the rights of journalists even in the most severe crises or war situations”.
According to Bayero Agabi, the President of CECAD, “the action of the government security personnel is a complete act of human rights violations which contradicts best global policing practices” he noted. He called on the Inspector General of Police to bring to book officers found wanting in the abuse and molestation of journalists especially on the line of duty, adding that the commitment of journalists to social course is already a selfless service which exposes them to a great deal of hazards in their duty while also describing media professionals as partners in progress with law enforcement operatives.
In a related development, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, security operatives moved into the venue of the hunger protest in an attempt to force the protesters to disperse. The masked official mounted a post at a strategic position near one of the main entrances to the stadium. After a while the protesters regrouped but this time around the security forces fired gunshots into the air and used tear gas to disperse the crowd and in the process arrested some protesters and journalists some of whom were later released upon self-identification. This hard and uncivil stance of the security personnel is a development which come after Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff had threatened that the military would take action over the situation if the protests gets out of hand.
Read Also: Hunger Protest Organisers Reveal Venues, Submit List IGP
Below is how we can help you promote your event, organization and products/services . This is the best you can get from this global platform of over decades experience.
PACKAGE:
First Leg: Full page Promotional package showcasing your Invitation Card, Banner/Flex, 3 different Photographs and brief of the coming event. Also your picture/Name will be the headline News in digivation blog(Pre-Event)
Second Leg: Full Page Promotional package of the event showcasing 5 different photographs plus short audio/visual clip of the event. Also org. picture/Name will be the headline news our blog(Post-Event).
Rate: N150,000 Only For Both Pre and Post Events. (Rate is only Applicable during the Promotional Period)
For further inquiries, contact the undersigned:
Hilary Damissah (Editor)
Mojisola Alabi ( business Development)
Email: digivationtv@gmail.com
Chief Imo Ukwa(Advert Consultant) 08063779938
