The IPC’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists, I-CSPJ, has expressed deep concern and disapproval following reports of a police invasion at ABN TV.
The incident, which occurred during a live program titled “Youth Rendezvous” on Tuesday, was said to have resulted in the forced arrest of a guest, Mr. Udensi Donald.
According to I-CSPJ’s field monitor, the intrusion took place at approximately 2:40 pm when police officers stormed the station, claiming to have a petition against Mr. Donald related to a family matter.
The I-CSPJ, in a statement made available to The Guardian, in Taraba state, said despite pleas from the station staff to allow the program to conclude before making the arrest, the officers insisted on taking action during the live broadcast.
Ifeanyi Okali, the Station’s Director, was said to have expressed frustration, stating, “The police claimed a senior brother of the guest had written a petition against him over a family matter.
“Despite repeated pleas by the staff to the officers to allow the programme come to an end before the guest could be arrested, they insisted on whisking him away while the live programme was on.”
In the statement, Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, condemned the police’s actions as unnecessary overzealousness, asserting that the officers could have waited for the conclusion of the live program before taking any action.
I-CSPJ, according to Arogundade, is now urging Commissioner of Police, Kene Onwuemeile, to address and restrain his officers, as well as ensure the replacement of damaged items belonging to the station resulting from the invasion.
