The Abia State Police has assulted a journalist who was on an official assignment in the state.
Chimere Onyema, a journalist with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State told the Abia State panel of inquiry on police brutality and extra judicial killings sitting on Wednesday that he was assulted, and beating by the police while he was trying to do his job.
According to him, he went to cover a peaceful demonstration staged by some youths of Abia North Senatorial Zone on February 25, 2019 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat Umuahia with his station’s digital camera and an identity card.
“As I was approaching , the policemen were tear gassing the protesters . The police directly attacked me having sensed I am a journalist with my camera, so I could not carry out my assignment on that day.
” They beat me up, and also tear gassed me to the point I couldn’t see. They smashed my samsung galaxy phone, and damaged the camera.” He said.
He said he became unconscious and his health challenge was aggravated as a result of the incidence.
” I was having a health issue then which became aggravated. I had a 3rd degree aggravated haemorrhoid which was operated on, on August, 26, 2019.
” The police took me to SCID. My colleague who I was not aware that she saw me at the scene reported to my office who contacted the Commissioner of Police and came for my release”.
On the witness pew, the said witness on the scene , Chidinma Ezenwambu of same B.C.A. , stated that she was driving with her husband past the scene when she saw the petitioner.
According to her, the petitioner was hijacked alongside some of the protesters into the police van. After which she contacted the corporation informing them of the incidence.
The matter was adjourned to February, 17, 2021.
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