The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has condemned the attack on a journalist with Naija/Beat/Classic FM, Port Harcourt, Ambassador Allwell Ene, by suspected hoodlums in the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, and Secretary, Dr Ijeoma Tubosia, the union said the incident occurred on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt, while the journalist was carrying out legitimate news-gathering duties.
The NUJ described the attack as unwarranted and called on the Rivers State Police Command to immediately apprehend those responsible and take necessary steps to address the trauma suffered by the victim.
According to the statement, Ene was brutally assaulted, sustaining multiple lacerations and swollen eyes, while his phone was seized and destroyed by the attackers. The assailants were also said to have torn his clothes and forcefully taken him to an undisclosed location before he was eventually rescued.
“The NUJ is disheartened by this ugly incident. Rather than treat journalists as partners in nation-building, members of the public, in many cases, continue to see them as enemies to be attacked,” the statement said.
“It is unacceptable that in a civilised society, a journalist would be assaulted in the line of duty. This is a clear violation of his fundamental rights,” it added.
The union, therefore, urged the government and the police to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, while also calling for adequate compensation for the victim and measures to prevent a recurrence.
