#NigeriaDecides2023: NSCDC officers ‘assault’ journalist covering election in Nasarawa

Some officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have reportedly assaulted a journalist while covering Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections in Nasarawa.

The journalist, Edwin Philip, was said to be reporting for Breeze FM in Lafia, the Nasarawa capital.

NAN reports that Philip, head of news at the FM station, was assaulted by the NSCDC personnel while reporting the electoral process live on his news platform.

Philip was said to have started reporting the proceedings after he received a call that voters at polling unit 061, Chiroma ward in Lafia east were asked to return to vote by 2:30 pm after being accredited.

“On reaching the venue, I was told by the electorate that they were told to be accredited and go back home to return by 2:30 pm, while their fingers are dotted by ink, symbolising that they have voted,” he said.

“On sighting Ibrahim Abdullahi, (Adon garin) chief of staff to Emir of Lafia, I moved away from the polling unit as he became violent and started beating up some electorate.

“All of a sudden, he disappeared from the polling unit only to reappear with an NSCDC personnel and ordered them to beat me up and take me away.

“They beat me and left a deep cut on my head and swollen body.”

The journalist said they took his wristwatch, cap, and mobile phone but returned only his phone later.

He added that the case was reported to the NSCDC and police command in Nasarawa.

Confirming the incident, Victor Jerry, NSCDC spokesperson in the state, said the officers involved in the alleged assault were not deployed from the state command.

Jerry assured that the command would investigate to ensure the perpetrators are arrested.

Meanwhile, TheCable had earlier reported how Arise TV journalist was attacked in the presence of police during the governorship and state assembly elections in Lagos.

Also, TheCable’s journalist was assaulted by suspected thugs while covering the presidential and national assembly elections in Delta on February 25.