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Daily Sun, Abakaliki
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, has condemned the assaults on a journalist and some teenagers in the state by policemen and members of the public.
Mr Chinedu Ngwuta, the Chief Executive Officer of Abakaliki-based online television station Direct Reporters, was recently assaulted by a policeman attached to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, after a road walk organised by the first lady.
Ngwuta’s camera was destroyed during the assault, and he was hospitalised due to the injuries he sustained. He was discharged after a few days of treatment.
Receiving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, led by Uchenna Inya, in her office at the police headquarters in Abakaliki, the state capital, Uche-Anya described journalists and policemen as partners in progress in the task of securing the nation through effective policing and information dissemination. She expressed dismay over the incident.
She vowed that the matter would not be swept under the carpet and commended Inya for bringing it to her attention.
*”I was not aware of this journalist’s issue until you brought it to my attention. We are employed to protect lives and property, not to assault people.
“I thank you for bringing this matter to my knowledge, and I will not sweep it under the carpet. I will surely look into it. I do not tolerate any wrongdoing,”* the police commissioner said.
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The CP also frowned upon the assault on two teenage girls in Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. The girls were stripped and flogged, sustaining grievous injuries, after being accused of stealing a chicken. Uche-Anya described the act as barbaric and ordered that the suspects, who are already in police custody, be prosecuted.
*”How can you strip two secondary school girls and treat them like common criminals? These are young girls, and they were flogged mercilessly for stealing a chicken, while others commit heinous crimes and are not treated like this.
“The suspects are already in our custody. We are making efforts to get the families and others to provide evidence in court. In cases like this, people are often reluctant or afraid to give evidence. Once we are done, the suspects will be prosecuted,”* she stated.
Uche-Anya also promised a hitch-free yuletide period in the state and urged members of the public to report criminal activities and elements to the police for prompt action.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel in the state, Uchenna Inya, commended her efforts to maintain peace in the state and urged her to ensure Ebonyi remains safe.
He explained that the courtesy visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the police and the press as partners in progress. He urged policemen to always see journalists as allies, not enemies.
Inya, the state correspondent for Daily Sun Newspapers, also praised the Commissioner for the professionalism and sanity she has brought to the state police command in her few months of service.
