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Bank Guards Attack Journalist Covering Labour Strike in Abia

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 5th, 2024.

Bank Guards Attack Journalist Covering Labour Strike in Abia

Emmanuel Nwazue, a correspondent for Afia TV in Umuahia, Abia State, was attacked by two security guards from a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) branch on Akanu Ibiam Way (Bank Road) while monitoring the Nigeria Labour Congress’s indefinite strike.

Nwazue reported that he was conducting an interview on the roadside in front of the bank when the guards confronted him, questioning his activities. Despite explaining that he was a journalist and was deliberately avoiding filming the bank’s building, the guards persisted in disrupting the interview.

Deciding to leave and find another interviewee, Nwazue was accosted by the guards, who demanded his camera. When he refused, they attacked and injured him.

“I was assessing the impact of the nationwide strike by the labour unions when I approached a frustrated man at the FCMB gate for an interview,” Nwazue recounted. “I moved towards a tree near the pedestrian walkway to avoid capturing the bank’s building, but its signboard was still in view. During the interview, the bank’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and another man interrupted us.”

Despite Nwazue’s attempts to explain his actions, the guards insisted he could not leave without surrendering his camera. As he tried to leave, the guards assaulted him. “While protecting my camera, one guard pushed me onto the busy road, nearly causing me to be hit by a vehicle. Eyewitnesses helped me out of the way, but my camera was damaged in the fall,” he said.

Nwazue’s medical condition, including a history of lumber spondylosis, was aggravated by the assault, resulting in renewed pain and a dislocated ankle, making it difficult for him to walk.