• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Polls: BBC condemns harassment of its  reporters in Nigeria

CDD report indicts INEC, security agents over shortcomings in the 2019 general elections

The BBC on Thursday, March 21, denounced the harassment of two of its reporters, during the recent election campaign, in Nigeria, saying it was ‘completely unacceptable’.

According to Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Head of West Africa Languages for the BBC World Service, BBC reporter Dooshima  Abu, was assaulted on February 27. The reporter was assigned to film a procession in front of the Benue State government house when she was attacked by a policewoman and other people.

The BBC said further that on March 9, Ajoke Ulohotse, another reporter, was assigned to monitor voting proceedings around a polling unit along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway when she was attacked by Mr. Segun Adewale, popularly known as Aeroland, a prominent member of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Alimosho local government.  In both instances the reporters were assaulted by more than one person, the BBC said.

Ogunseye said:   “Harassment of journalists who are simply doing their jobs is completely unacceptable.    Our reporters should not have to face physical threats or intimidation and we call on the authorities to take action to protect the freedom of the media.”

The BBC has since lodged complaints with the police regarding both incidents.

 

Innocent Odoh, Abuja