The Delta Broadcasting Service DBS, Warri Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union, (RATTAWU), DBS Warri Chapter have condemned in strong terms the unwarranted harassment, beating and manhandling of two of their members
Comrade Linus Chima and John Osuji by five thugs recruited by an official of Effurun Market on Wednesday while on an official assignment to monitor compliance with the COVID-19 stay at home directives.
The Unions in a joint statement by the Chairmen of the NUJ DBS Warri Chapel,Comrade Sonia Unobunjo and RATTAWU DBS Warri Chapter, Comrade Isaac Oboh, described the attack of the two staff of DBS Warri by the thugs as barbaric, inhuman, wicked, primitive and unthinkable.
The Unions stated that the attack on their members by the thugs from Uvwie Local Government Area was intended to frustrate them from carrying out their duties, as members of staff of the station had earlier reported similar attacks
from the area in recent times.
They therefore demanded the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Mr. Ramson Onoyake, to tender an unreserved apology to the NUJ and RATTAWU DBS Warri and members of staff of the establishment for the barbaric behaviour of an official of the Effurun market and his thugs, else all publicity regarding the council and its activities will be halted.
The Unions further called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the Effurun Market official who claimed to be the market master, and his thugs that attacked their members.
They asked the council chairman to warn officers directly or indirectly working with the council to stop subsequent harassment of staff of D85 Warri.
Both Unions stressed that they will not succumb to any form of intimidation of their members in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility, particularly from security agents while monitoring the level of compliance of the stay-at-home order and other directives by the Delta State Government.
