Thugs disrupt as Senators Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi press briefing at Kaduna NUJ Secretariat

*Injures journalists, vandalise building
*As el-Rufai asks security agencies to investigate

It was pandemonium at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Sunday as hoodlums attacked it, injuring journalists, vandalised properties and disrupted a press briefing by some All Progressives Congress (APC), chieftains in the state including two serving senators.

The thugs who moved in on the NUJ secretariat, while Senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi were addressing the press to kick against the result of the party’s delegate election in the state, according to one report, over powered the policemen at the entrance to gain entry into the NUJ secretariat.

Another source however said the thugs gained entrance when the Gabassawa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Sadiq Abdullahi allegedly allowed them entrance into the venue.

But, the State Police Commissioner, Mr Agyole Abeh who visited the NUJ secretariat, pledged that the police will apprehend the perpetrators.

According to him, the DPO had briefed him on the incident, claiming that the thugs had identified themselves as journalists before they were allowed into the premises.

The thugs wielding dangerous weapons matcheted a cameraman with Liberty Television, Lawal Muhammed, damaged several cameras and injured two other reporters.

They also broke doors, windows and damaged chairs and tables at the secretariat, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The thugs also chased away chieftains of the APC including House of Representatives members Muhamamed Usman and Musa Soba, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, Alhaji Yaro Makama, Amb. Sule Buba and a former legislator Alhaji Isa Ashiru.

The Commissioner of Police, Abeh however said that investigation would commence immediately and those found wanting would be prosecuted.

This is even as the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the violence, directing the security agencies to investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to book.

Earlier, during the press conference, the APC chieftains said they were protesting what they termed as ‘selection’ of APC delegates in total disregard of the party’s constitution.

Sen. Hunkuyi who spoke on behalf of the APC leaders said all the guidelines for the delegate’s election were breached.

He said that the group had written to the national secretariat of the APC asking it to set aside the purported delegates election and announce new date for the exercise.

“Stakeholders were invited on Friday, we were there until 7:30 pm in the evening, but the acting chairman and other leaders of the party did not show up.”

According to the party chieftains, the delegates were allegedly handpicked at the Government House.

Also speaking, Sen. Sani said they would not accept “any dark room list” as delegates, stressing that APC was founded on the principle of justice, progress and unity and must be seen to go by its principles.

“The leadership of APC in Kaduna would not accept arrogance of power and dictatorship; this is our state and we are sending this message very clear to the political adviser and his principal that we will not compromise, we need free fair and credible election.”

However, the spokesman of the APC in Kaduna State, Salisu Wusono claimed that the party’s delegates election was free, credible and fair.

According to him, the election was attended by all party officials at ward and state level.
Wusono told journalists that the election was conducted based on the party’s guidelines and was supervised by five officials from the APC National secretariat.

However, reacting to the attack on behalf of Gov. El-Rufai in a statement on Sunday afternoon, his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan said, “Having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with the NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums.

“The governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. The governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty.

“The media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression,” Mr. Aruwan added.

Mr. Aruwan warned against political violence and attack on the press.

“Politics should not be a desperate game. And desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen.
“The government of Kaduna State will not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights,” said Mr. Aruwan.