Ingra condemns attack on Journalist

The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, (INGRA) has condemned the recent attack of a Journalist working with  Confluence Cable Network owners of Grace FM, by suspected drug peddlers in Lokoja metropolis.


Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the statement which was signed by the Executive Director of INGRA Mr Hamza Aliyu and titled, "increasing state of insecurity in Lokoja metropolis" said the attack has once again brought to the fore the dangerous and toxic atmosphere in the area around our politics and security.

"Where youths fueled with the audacity that they are "untouchable" decides to malicious bodily harm an accredited Journalist in public view for doing his job is totally in acceptable and condemnable. 


"This happens and the security agencies, who are with stone distances from the scene are still yet to arrest and prosecute the papertrators. 

"This is a warning sign to all persons who are in the forefront of raising issues about the ills of bad governance. How do drug peddlers have such temirity to unleash such harm to a JOURNALIST on such flimsy excuse?"


The statement observed that  Kogi State is awash with cult gangs who maim, kill and harm themselves and others with impunity and the State Government seems relaxed or incapable of bringing the situation to order.

The statement reads further " The situation is troubling and shows a total failure of security in a state where accolades have continuesly been thrown at the government on the issue.

"We now leave in perpetual fear that what your say against the state or any cult group, could be you last or at least bring you bodily harm. This is unacceptable in a democratic system. Kogi state is not a dictatorial state and we must not accept this attitude to the media and Vigils Society. 

"Only in the recent memory another media personality was arrested and jailed for stories that the "authorities" found "unpleasant". Another popular Civil Society Activist was hounded and threaten by the Kogi State House of Assembly for publishing facts not favourable to the House.
Kogi State must be democratic in its affairs and we must never accept a situation where having contrary opinions could be a death sentence.

" INGRA calls on the Security Agencies and The State Government to condemn this actions and immediately arrest and prosecute those responsible for this heinous actions. 

"We call on the NUJ and the Civil Society to organise a protest to Government House to demand a Peaceful environment for all shades of opinions, no matter how unpleasant they seem but as long as it's within the legal ambit of the law".

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