The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has condemned attacks on journalists while covering the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in Lagos and Rivers states.

IPC, in a press statement, IPC’s Safety Desk Officer, Mrs Melody Lawal listed the attacked journalists as; AIT Reporters and cameraman Henrietta Oke, Amarachi Amuche and Nkiru Nwokedi who were reportedly molested and prevented from covering some polling units at Eti-Osa, Ifako-Ijaiye and Amuwo Odofin local government, noting that Ms Nkiru’s phone was stolen before it was later recovered by the men of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

The statement added that the IPC Safety Desk also confirmed attacks on Arise News TV crew comprising Reporter Oba Adeoye, Cameraman Opeyemi Adenihun and driver Yusuf Hassan while covering the voting process in Elegushi area of Lagos, noting that Mr Opeyemi Adenihun suffered injury while his drone was seized.

In addition, the organization stated that Adejoke Adeleye, a reporter with News Agency of Nigeria was among journalists molested in Itori Odo Area of Abeokuta South Local government, adding that she was faced by mob attack from political thugs.

The organisation also referred to the restriction of the journalists by the men of Nigerian Police Force from covering the polling unit of the Rivers State governor, saying that it is bewildered by the action.

Ms Lawal, therefore, decried the incidents of attacks as “unacceptable attacks which constitute both the violation of the fundamental rights of the affected journalists and media workers and major assault on press freedom”.

She called on the “Police, the Political Parties and all concerned to take measures to protect them. It is, therefore, worrisome that such attacks have been repeated again today”.

She also charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the various attacks and ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their illegal actions.