The International Press Centre’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists, I-CSPJ, has condemned attacks on some journalists in Kano State by the police.
The journalists, including Salim Umar Ibrahim of Daily Trust and British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa reporter, Zahradeen Lawal, were allegedly attacked while covering a sitting of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The Executive Director of the IPC, Lanre Arogundade, condemned the attack in a statement released on Wednesday.
“Unwarranted attacks on journalists on legitimate duty is dangerous for our democracy and a major threat to press freedom and violates the fundamental human rights of the journalists,” the statement said.
The IPC urged men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, “to be mindful of actions they take against journalists and not continually create an environment where journalists would be afraid to work and discharge their duties effectively and efficiently”.
The Centre, in the same vein, called on the Kano State commissioner of police to take adequate and swift measures to bring to book those who assaulted the journalists.
The IPC equally demanded compensation for the affected journalists.
“We call on the NPF to train its officers to be more respectful and courteous in relating with journalists and other media professionals,” the statement added, stressing that the primary responsibility of the police is the protection of citizens, including journalists.
International Press Centre condemns attack on journalists by police in Kano