Security Beat, Push AIT Cameraman at Obasanjo Son’s Wedding

The cameraman of Africa Independent Television (AIT) in Ebonyi State, Mr. Chineye Sunday, was allegedly pushed and punched in the face by an operative of the State Security Service (SSS), identified as Mr. Emeka.
The incident happened when the cameraman was trying to establish shots of dignitaries at an event in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, on November 9, 2013, Saturday, at the traditional marriage ceremony of the former President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Bisoye Obasanjo and his wife, Chigozie Nwenyi at Okpuitumo, Ndufu Ikwo Development Centre of Ikwo LGA.
According to Vanguard, the victim of the assault left the scene of the event with bruises, swollen face and damaged camera, which worth over a N1 million. Mr. Sunday later narrated his ordeal:

“Immediately I entered where dignitaries were and established my shots. The guy (SSS operative) who was at my back pushed me. When that happened, I now started staggering with myself and my equipment.

“I went to the guy and asked him, why he did what he did; the next thing was for him to punch me close to my eyes. It was a terrible incident that happened before dignitaries and even before the ADC to the Governor and if it was possible the ADC would have beaten up the guy but he restrained himself.

“My camera that was damaged is worth over N1 million and I cannot use it again to cover any function for government or anybody else until it is repaired or a new one purchased for me”.

Some of the journalists in the state expressed disappointment over the incident and called on the state government to deal decisively with the SSS personnel, if not they would never cover any event involving the Governor since their safety cannot be guaranteed.

“We are shocked, embarrassed and humiliated by this development. This SSS guys are fond of obstructing us from doing our job both in the Government House and at the Stadium; and the most annoying aspect of it is that they know us very well. We are all in the Government House. We are not strangers to them.

“We wonder who gave them the audacity to attack us. It is only in Ebonyi State we feel threatened to do our job. These guys need training and retraining; they shouldn’t vent their angers on us if their condition of service is not acceptable to them. They should allow us to do our job while they do theirs. Journalists world over are harmless persons”.

Mr. Christopher Isiguzo, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, South East Zone, also reacted to the incident and condemned it entirely. He added that the zone would reach out to State Director of SSS with a view to ensuring that such development does not occur in future.
Meanwhile, the ADC to Ebo