Power-drunk NSCDC Officer Attacks Journalists, Destroys Camera

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Three photo journalists with PUNCH, Leadership and Sun newspapers were, on Wednesday, assaulted by an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed at the headquarters of the National Identity Management Commission in Abuja.

A camera belonging to a PUNCH photojournalist, Olatunji Obasa, was destroyed by the rampaging officer, who angrily charged at the journalists, while they were carrying out their duties.

Obasa narrated, “We only went there to cover happenings at the NIMC headquarters here in Abuja as a large crowd of people stormed the commission to get their National Identification Numbers.

“But while doing our job, suddenly the NSCDC officer charged at us, ordered us to stop taking photographs and immediately pounced on us. In the process, he destroyed my camera.”

It was learnt that the officer eventually fled the vicinity when the matter was brought to the notice of the NIMC officials and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The PUNCHman called on the NIMC to intervene in the matter as the damaged camera was his work tool, adding that the officer must be brought to justice.

 

When contacted, the spokesperson for the NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, said he was not around when the incident happened, because he was not feeling fine and was on medication.

He apologised for what transpired on the premises and said the NIMC would intervene in the matter.


When contacted, the National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC, Emma Okeh, said he had yet to receive any briefing on what transpired at the NIMC headquarters.

He, however, apologised to the media on behalf of the agency and promised that the NSCDC would investigate the matter and sanction the officer if found wanting.

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