The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom, has demanded apology from the State Government and the State Security Service (SSS) over the assault of its members.
Mr Kazeem Ibrahim, a correspondent of the Nation’s newspaper, was allegedly assaulted on Dec.9 by officials of the SSS at Government House, Uyo.
Mr Joe Effiong, the state NUJ Chairman, made the demand at the end of an emergency meeting in Uyo on Monday.
“It has become a norm for journalists in the state to beaten while performing their lawful duties at Government House functions.
“We expect government and SSS apologies tomorrow (Tuesday) or during congress.
“If they fail, whatever decision that will be taken at congress will be binding on all of us,’’ he said.
Effiong expressed concern why officials of the SSS should attack journalists when they did not have anything at stake with the SSS.
“We do not have dealings with security personnel. We are not struggling for anything with them; we are not struggling for their pay.
“They (SSS) are being paid by the Federal Government. It is becoming worrisome the way they attack journalists.
“I have received a letter from the Correspondents’ Chapel on the incident that happened on Dec. 9 which we condemned in its entirety,” he said.