The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Adamawa State has vowed to boycott a media parley organised by the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri and scheduled for today, Friday, May 28 to express their displeasure over the rough handling of three of its members by a police officer.
According to the union, the incident which occurred on Thursday, at the Yola International Airport, was in poor taste and described as an infringement on Press Freedom.
According to a press statement jointly signed by the chapel’s Chairman and the Secretary, Daji Sani and Oniimisi Alao respectively, the policeman who molested the journalists, Sergeant Ibrahim Adamu, was acting on the directive of the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Humwashi Wunosikou.
The statement reads: “The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Adamawa State registers its displeasure over the manhandling of its members today (Thursday) May 27, at the International Airport Yola, following directive by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou that journalists shouldn’t be allowed into presidential lodge.”
“Consequently, the Correspondents’ Chapel resolved at an emergency congress to boycott the media chat slated for Friday and other activities of the Adamawa State government.”
“The Chapel demands unreserved apology from the Chief Press Secretary for the unfortunate directive”, the statement concludes.
Reacting to the allegations, Wonosikou said he did not order any police officer to rough handle or assault any journalists.
“I did not order any police officer to do anything. I only prevented them from entering the VIP lounge at the airport, that’s all.” He said.