Hoodlums attack Nation Newspaper amidst EndSars protest

...An attack on free press…

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The attack on wednesday by hoodlums on the headquarters of the Nation Newspapers, has been described as an attack targetted on the free press.

The Editor of the Nation Newspaper, Adeniyi Adesina in a press statement made available to Nation Update online, stated that its unfortunate that the media house that has reported the ongoing #Endsars protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a better Nigeria could  be pencilled down for such dastardly  destruction.

Adesina was thankful to God for the timely intervention of the men of Operation Mesa security outfit that saved many lives that would have been trapped in the inferno including that of Mr. Victor Ifijeh, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief.

According to the release, “their arrival ended the free rein of the invaders.”

He regratted that the hoodlums had swooped on the organization, burning, vandalizing and looting everything they could lay their hands on.

Vehicles parked within the premises were either set ablaze or vandalised, they also carted away laptops, desktop computers, air conditioners and other office equipment.

The Management he said was at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such unwarranted attack, having listed it on Twitter and other social media platforms by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities.

The Nation Newspapers premises located on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos on Wednesday 21st, afternoon was invaded by armed men on motorcycles who kicked their way into the premises after scaring away security men on duty.

The hoodlums who brandished their sophisticated guns poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it.

What started as a peaceful protest by youths in the country two weeks ago on Tuesday night turned violent starting from the Lagos tollgate and in Abuja and now in many parts of the country.

At the last count, about six media houses have been either burnt down or vandalised, they include, the Nation Newspapers, Television Continental(TVC), Lagos State Television, Galaxy television and Channels television.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE) have described  as unwarranted and condemnable, the destruction that took place at the Nation Newspapers and other media houses. It also frowned at incessant harassment of journalists  by law enforcement agents.

The NGE President, Mustapha Isah called on the federal government to provide adequate security to media houses, further stated that the guild would not tolerate the harassment of journalists, insisting that they should be allowed access to places of interest as they strive under an atmosphere of insecurity to do their jobs.