IPC Condemns Recent Attack on Two Journalists

The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the abduction of the Controller of News, Radio Benue and the detention of the publisher of Policy and Lawmakers Magazine, Kogi State, which was reported during the weekend.

According to reports from 
The Punch and The Guardian, Friday Ogungbemi, the publisher of Policy and Lawmakers Magazine was picked up last Wednesday by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a publication which allegedly criticised the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Edward Onojo, while Mrs. Yuadoo Tor-Agbidye, the Controller of News, Radio Benue was abducted by four unidentified men at her residence 4:30a.m last Friday.

The Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade in a statement said, “both occurrences are unfortunate, and raises more concern about the safety of journalists in Nigeria which is yet to be fully addressed. These occurrences call for the need to further address the safety of journalists, because if journalists are going to be effective in carrying out their duties, they must be rest assured that they are safe.”

IPC therefore pleaded for the release of Mrs. Tor-Agbidye who was abducted, and Ogungbemi who was unlawfully detained by the DSS.

It also called on the intervention of media stakeholders and security agencies on these issues.
The perpetrators of these acts should also be dealt with consequently.