August 11, 2020 4:30 p.m. EDT
Abuja, August 11, 2020 – The Nigerian government investigates the recent attack on journalist Sikiru Obarayese very well and holds those responsible responsible, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
On August 3, at least 4 police officers slapped, kicked and used their batons to beat Obarayese, a personal Daily Post correspondent, while reporting on police enforcement of COVID restrictions. 19 in Old Garage, a suburb. from Osun state capital Oshogbo, according to the reporter, who spoke to CPJ via a phone and messaging app, as well as a report from the Daily Post.
Obarayese told CPJ that the police questioned him after photographing officials beating other people who allegedly violated the state’s legal responsibility to wear face masks, and said Adebayo Adeleke, a local state commissioner who had ordered the police attack him.
The attack left Obarayese with injuries to his elbow, a scratch on his right leg and pain in his knees, according to the Daily Post and Obarayese. He won a knee X-ray after the attack, but told CPJ the injury was not serious.
“The police attack on journalist Sikiru Obarayese is an alarming reminder of the willingness of the Nigerian police to attack the press for their work,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ Africa program coordinator in New York. “Journalists will have to be relaxed to report on how the government is implementing reaction measures to COVID-19, and those guilty of violence against the public and the media will be held accountable.”
Obarayese told CPJ that Osun state’s leading press secretary Ismail Omipidan called and apologized for the attack and gave him 50,000 naira ($ 129) for his bills. doctor.
In a phone call with CPJ, Adeleke denied ordering an attack on Obarayese’s people. Adeleke also published an article in the News Indicator of personal news, challenging Obarayese’s account of the incident and denying that the police had attacked the journalist.
CPJ calls to Omipidan received no response.
When CPJ called Osun State Police Command for comment, spokeswoman Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin said she was unaware of the incident, but would keep abremo with those involved.