By: Magnus Aluma
A crew of journalists in Ebonyi State, who went to cover a political rally in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state at the weekend escaped death by the whiskers, following a deadly attack by a group of suspected political thugs.
The journalists, who are members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, were going to cover the event which was organised by a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, Chief Ifeanyi Nworie, when the thugs descended on them.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the violent attackers numbering over 50 were allegedly led by one Mr. Friday Agbom.
Our correspondent in Abakaliki gathered that the attackers failed in their efforts to break the doors of the vehicle and force themselves in as their efforts to get fuel and set the bus ablaze also failed flatly.
It was at that point that the driver swiftly manoeuvred through the scene and escaped with the occupants unharmed.
“The journalists would have been trapped but for the quick thinking of the driver, who skilfully drove out of the scene before the attackers could perfect their plan,” an eyewitness said.
The reporters were said to have been invited by the organiser, Chief Nworie, to do a media coverage of the event, which was initially scheduled for a village square along the roadside in his community.
In the face of the ugly incident, the thugs stormed the venue, forcing the organiser to relocate the gathering to his private residence.
They further proceeded to the road leading to Chief Nworie’s residence, barricaded the access route and attacked several people on their way to the venue of the event.
At press time, the convener of the rally, Chief Nworie who was also beaten by the hoodlums was yet to make a statement on his experience.
No fewer than twenty armed police officers were detailed to the original venue of the programme to guarantee adequate security, while efforts were also ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
It is expected that the Ebonyi State Police Command and the leader of the thugs, Mr. Friday Agbom, would issue an official statement on the incident.
Anchor Reporters gathered that the incident has heightened concerns over the safety of journalists in the state as there is already a palpable fear in the political landscape of the state before the 2027 general elections.(Anchor Reporters)
