The Story Your path to the story
· LASG condemns, apologizes over harassment
Funsho Hassan
Operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) yesterday thew caution to the wind at Meiran Bus Stop, along the Lagos Abeokuta Expressway of Lagos, by beating and detaining a journalist in Black Maria for filming their enforcement operation.
It was learnt that a journalist with Guild Press Limited, Benjamin Anaja was assaulted by officers who felt angry by the journalist’s audacity to withstand their enforcement and even record their operation.
In a viral video secretly recorded by the journalist in the Black Maria, where the was detained after being tortured for daring to carry out his duty, Anaja explained that his ID Card was broken, even after he identified himself to the officers. He added that he was eventually released at Ikeja Along Bus Stop.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has condemned the brutality, saying that the present administration in the State has a zero tolerance for any form of brutalization of members of the public by any of her staffers or agents.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, the state government said that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and all KAI operatives mentioned in the news report, which has already gone viral, will be interrogated on what transpired and punitive measures taken if found culpable.
He reiterated that the complainant would also be invited to come forward and substantiate his complaint and possibly identify the culprits who attacked him despite identifying himself as a journalist.
The state apologized to the victims, the management of the Guild publishing company and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, promising that such an unfortunate incident would not repeat itself.
He added that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu believes in a free and unfettered media which is a basic requirement for a better and egalitarian society.
