NUJ To Osinbajo: You Watched As Your Security Aides Assault Journalist…I’m Sorry, VP Apologises

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he regrets the attack on an accredited photojournalist with the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by his security aides on Thursday. 

Osinbajo tendered an apology through his media aide, Laolu Akande, acknowledging that the assault on the photojournalist was uncalled for.

Abayomi Adeshida, who works with Vanguard newspapers, was allegedly beaten up by Osinbajo’s security aides for taking photos of the vice president at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, during the opening session of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit.

But speaking on Thursday night, the vice president said: “The needless scuffle between a villa accredited photographer, Mr. Adeshida and one of our security aides earlier today has since been resolved.”

He added that the “Incident is regretted and I have apologized to him for any embarrassment caused.”

Reacting earlier, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, expressed displeasure over the incident. 

Speaking in a statement by its chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, the NUJ FCT demanded sanctions against those involved in the assault against Adeshida.

The union claimed that Osinbajo watched while his security aides brutally assaulted the photojournalist.

“The brutal physical assault by security details of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against one of our members in the legitimate pursuit of his duties as a journalist further signposts how dangerous it is to be a journalist in Nigeria, especially in the last four years.

“On a day in which Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists for security operatives to unashamedly batter a journalist in the presence of the vice president speaks to how troubling and dark Nigeria has descended into.

“We are still at a loss as to why operatives of the DSS, not like they are some street urchins, had to behave in such a despicable manner should send shivers down the spine of every reasonable Nigerian. We are however comforted by the fact that journalists in Nigeria have seen more terrible days and survived and would definitely outlast every vestige of jackboot and intimidation by state and non-state actors,” the statement further read.

Ogbeche called on Osinbajo to initiate an immediate probe into the unfortunate situation, while in the interim, Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera is replaced as well as his full medical bills undertaken by the federal government.

“While we demand an immediate probe into the ugly incident with a view for disciplinary measures against all those involved in this clear abuse on a journalist and journalism, we call on Vice President Osinbajo to order for the replacement of Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera as well as settle his medical expenses.

“However, the council will explore other avenues including legal remedy against these individuals that have further endangered press freedom and safety of journalists in Nigeria.”

The NUJ chairman urged journalists in the country not to be deterred in the performance of their duties while upholding the ethics of the profession.