Attack On Journalist By Nigeria Police

MOSOP Fumes Over Attack On Journalist By Nigeria Police

THE Ogoni mass organisation, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned in strong terms what it described as ''unprovoked and barbaric torture'' of the Port Harcourt Bureau Chief of the Punch Newspapers, Mr. Ibanga Isine, by security officials.

Information Officer of the Ogoni group, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, in an e-mail to our correspondent yesterday, said ''it is unfortunate that this approach to civil issues by security men in Nigeria has regrettably remained the traditional response. This callous and beastly behaviour has not only violated the legitimate rights of the victim but also demonstrated an appalling and intolerable lack of value for civilians as well as respect for human dignity''.

MOSOP is therefore calling for the immediate prosecution of the perpetrators and the guilty duly punished. Since Mr. Isine’s right has been infringed upon and his family made to suffer severe pains and set backs, we advocate the payment of adequate compensation to him.

''The fact that security operatives act with impunity in this country appear to have increased their insanity. The alarming frequency of this ugly trend has genuinely increased concerns since it has been left unaddressed. Last week, naval ratings were reported to have brutalized and striped naked, a female Nigerian at Lagos. We would thus call on the authorities to urgently emplace visible and appropriate steps to stem the menace of these outlaws within our security system. We strongly do not belief that a mere apology is all that is required in the circumstance'', they said.

Continuing, the group said, ''the Ogoni people will like to warn that the way in which this matter is handled would determine how the people would relate with the security forces. We insist that the brazen resort to using the security challenges in Rivers State as excuse by security personnel to commit human rights abuses against the citizens is not only unacceptable but also an ill wind that would not be in the interest of even the perpetrators''.

Adding, they said, ''we will advice the security forces to direct their energies towards stemming down the growing state of insecurity we experience in the state rather than devote itself to violating the rights of innocent and law abiding citizens.

Government and other relevant authorities must act now in favour of justice to really show that zero tolerance for lawlessness, which is ceaselessly trumpeted''.

ENDS

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