The International Press Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has expressed dissatisfaction with the attacks on some journalists who were on duty covering the sitting of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kano state on Wednesday by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

A statement by the I-CSPJ Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan which listed the affected journalists as, Salim Umar Ibrahim of Daily Trust and BBC Hausa Reporter, Zahraddeen Lawal said they were attacked by the police at the venue of the proceedings of the tribunal sitting.

According to the account of Mr. Salim Ibrahim of Daily Trust, he said that the overzealous Police attacked him and some other journalists at the scene for allegedly taking pictures “the Police who were on duty asked the journalists to move 10 meters away from the Court premises and in the process, some of them pounced on them, alleging that they were taking pictures.”

“While some went after BBC reporter trying to seize his phone, others held Salim Ibrahim of Daily Trust and forcefully collected his phone, damaging the screen,” the report further stated.

Reacting to the incident, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lagos state Mr. Lanre Arogundade condemned the recurring incidents of attacks on journalists and media practitioners, describing such occurrences as a threat to the country’s democracy and press freedom “The unwarranted attacks on journalists on legitimate duty is dangerous to our democracy and a major threat to press freedom. Such act violates the fundamental human rights of the journalists”, He said.

IPC, therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force to be mindful of their actions while dealing with journalists and to avoid creating a hostile environment which could make them afraid of discharging their duties “We urge the men of the Nigerian Police Force to be mindful of actions they take against journalists and not continually create an environment where journalists would be afraid to work and discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

“I-CSPJ, therefore calls on the Kano State Commissioner of Police to take adequate and swift measures to bring to book those who assaulted the journalists while putting in place machinery to compensate the affected journalists for this inhumane treatment.

“We also call on the Nigeria Police Force to step up the training of its officers to be more respectful and courteous in relating with journalists and other media professionals. They should be reminded constantly that the primary responsibility of the Police is the protection of citizens including journalists, the statement reads