On Wednesday, a journalist was harassed by thugs while attempting to cover the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident occurred near the Federal Secretariat, a central gathering point for the protestors over the past week.
According to reports, a group of thugs positioned themselves opposite the Federal Secretariat, intimidating and driving away both journalists and protesters.
Witnesses indicated that two protesters were beaten, while over 20 police officers present at the scene did not intervene.
The journalist who was targeted was surrounded and threatened by the thugs, who claimed their presence was to prevent any protest activities.
This inaction by the police has raised concerns about the security and protection of the right to protest in Rivers State.
When contacted, Rivers State Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu expressed his concern over the incident and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
“We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that such incidents do not recur,” Disu stated.
It is noteworthy that the Rivers State Police Commissioner had previously been active in maintaining peace during the protests, offering light refreshments to peaceful protesters and ensuring their safety. However, the lack of action during this incident calls into question the effectiveness of the police’s protection measures.
Wednesday marked Day 7 of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, which has seen varying degrees of violence, particularly in some Northern states.