An Ebonyi State-based journalist, Godwin Aliuna, is currently receiving intensive care at a private hospital in Abakaliiki, the state capital, following injuries inflicted on him by the state security operatives, Neighbourhood Watch, on the orders of the state Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi.
The victim of the order is a correspondent of the Daily Asset Newspaper and the Editor of The Nations News Nigeria online.
It was gathered that Aliuna, alongside other journalists, went to cover an event at the open hall of the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution located at the Old Government House, Abakaliki when the incident occurred.
Trouble started when Nwobasi identified the journalist and ordered him to leave the venue.
As Aliuna started leaving, the Commissioner, who could not hold his temper, charged at him, pushing him and beckoning on security operatives who took him away for further torture.
The event occurred on Thursday at the Old Government House, Abakaliki, which harbours the offices of the Ministry of Border Peace and that of Internal Security.
The Neighbourhood Watch is attached to the Ministry of Internal Security.
Aliuna narrated his ordeal to newsmen in his hospital bed: “I was roughly manhandled today by Neighbourhood Watch, under the directive and supervision of the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi.
“I didn’t do anything to him.
“They held a programme today at the Old Government House, Abakaliki, where the Ministry was trying to resolve the Ezeship tussle rocking one of the communities in Ishielu Local Government Area.
“I went there to cover the event at the ministry’s open hall located inside the Old Government House, Abakaliki alongside other journalists.
“I was at the entrance, when one of the aides told me to come inside.
“When I went inside, I sat at the back of the hall.
“But on recognising me, the Commissioner started shouting: ‘Who is that journalist?’
“Before I knew it, they confiscated my phone.
“He ordered one of his aides there to confiscate, search my phone, and delete everything in it.
“He didn’t end at that, but proceeded to push me.
“And when I asked to know why, he ordered the security agencies (Neighbourhood Watch) to whisk me away.
“After throwing me on the ground, they started beating me up.
“About five of them descended on me, hitting me hard like a common criminal.
“They ordered me to pull off my clothes and sit on the ground.
“They were hitting me hard, all at once: one on the head, another on the eyes, while the others were busy hitting me at the back, trying to pull my hands behind my back, and so on.
“One of them went outside, brought a weapon and told me that if I moved, he would break my legs.
“They said that the Commissioner told them to arrest me and detain me.
“I can’t see clearly with one of my eyes now as a result of the mass beating.”
Aliuna called on the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, right groups and Civil Society Organisations to intervene in the matter to save other journalists from such experience with the Commissioner, stressing: “The way I was beaten like a common criminal is uncalled for.
“I urge the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, to call the Commissioner, Paul Awo Nwobasi, to order.
“He should stop being hostile to journalists and learn how a commissioner should behave.
“Journalists in Ebonyi have cordial working relationships with the state government and I don’t know why the Commissioner, Nwobasi, would always be hostile to journalists.”
The Commissioner, when contacted, denied ordering for Aliuna’s torture by the Neighbourhood Watch.
Meanwhile, many journalists in the state have been voicing their disapproval of the Commissioner’s act and rebuked the Neighbourhood Watch for continually overstepping the boundaries of its establishing laws.
A Correspondent of a major national newspaper who spoke on condition of anonymity called on the Ebonyi State Police Command to investigate the Neighbourhood Watch outfit, alleging that its personnel carry out a lot of clandestine activities, including excessive torture, maiming, and intimidation of persons in their custody.
He said: “The Neighbourhood Watch is overstepping their boundaries.
“The law which established it specifically stated that their duty is only to apprehend and handover to the police for necessary investigations.
“But today, they have horrible cells in their office where they dump people and continually torture them.
“Some have stayed months in that place under very awful conditions.
“We were able to rescue Aliuna because we went as a group of journalists.
“Who knows what could have happened to him if he were to be an ordinary person?” [The Eagle Online]
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
