Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) strongly condemns attack on Journalists covering #EndSARS protest in Gombe, northeast of Nigeria, as well as arson attack on Television Continental (TVC) head office in Lagos.

Reports say peaceful protesters of #EndSARS converged at the Rainbow roundabout in Gombe metropolis were attacked by thugs, extending the attack to journalists covering the protest, under the watch of policemen.

Four journalists were said to have been affected, including Correspondent of The Nation newspapers, Shola Shittu, and camera man of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Gombe, Jimmy Dantsabta.

The NTA camera was seized and destroyed by the thugs, leaving the cameraman injured with a knife cut on his hand in the process.

General Manager of NTA Gombe, Mr. Abubakar Adamu, who confirmed the incidence while briefing AMDF, condemned the attack on the journalists who were at the protest ground to do their work.

“The cameraman sustained a knife cut on his hand. He is now at resting at home, having been treated and discharged from the hospital. We call on everyone to respect the rights of journalists,” he said.

Also speaking to AMDF, the North East Vice President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Alhassan Yahya, described as unfortunate the act of attacking journalists for just no cause.

“Journalists put their lives on the line to get you the stories you need. These colleagues of mine did nothing wrong by going there to cover the protests.

Burning of TVC Head Office

AMDF equally condemns the arson attack on Television Continental (TVC) head office in Lagos by thugs on Wednesday, October 21, describing it as unfortunate.

The incidence has forced the TVC to go off-air, as well as force other TV stations like Channel to temporarily close their office for fear of attacks.

AMDF strongly condemns all forms of attack on journalists and other media workers by thugs, especially at this time of nationwide protests against brutality and extra-judicial killings. We call on all security agents to be up and doing in curtailing these acts by thugs in Nigeria.