#EndSARS protest: IPC condemns police brutality on photojournalist

Etim Effiong

The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, has condemned the police brutality on Akpokona Omafuaire a  reporter/photojournalist with Vanguard Newspaper, Friday when he was going on an official assignment during the 48 hours curfew imposed by the Delta State governor.

The statement, which was signed and made available to newsmen by Programme Officer/Safety Desk Officer, IPC, Melody Lawal, on Sunday, said the police cut and whipped Omafuaire with a cutlass.

According to Vanguard’s reports, the overzealous police officers at Oviwian-Aladja Police Station, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, battered Omafuaire, cutting and whipping him with a cutlass and gun butt.

IPC Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade said: “We condemn in totality the brutality on the journalist in a bid to carry out an official assignment.”

The centre is urgently calling for the investigation on this incident and many others perpetrated by police officers. It is crucial to ensure that the culprit is punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Arogundade further said the Inspector General of Police should urgently intervene and give firm instructions to officers and men of the Police Force to stop assaulting journalists.