NUJ Charges Security Agencies To Give Journalists Adequate Protection
By Lynn Adda
The Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has called for adequate protection for Journalists in the course of the discharge of their duties.
The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen made the call during a Courtesy Call on the Taraba State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Mr Anthony Bala Bitrus in his office in Jalingo, the state capital on Wednesday.
Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen
The Chairman was in company of some State and National officials of the Union as well as some publishers and practitioners.
He stressed that the call imperative to protect Journalists from all forms of intimidation and harassment from overzealous security agents.
The NUJ Chairman equally condemned inter-agency rivalries, which sometimes leads to physical attacks among personnel experienced in some parts of the country.
He noted that such attitudes are capable of sending fears in the minds of the civilian population who rely on the security agents for protection and the maintenance of law and order in the society.
Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen explained that the purpose of the visit was to foster collaboration between the pen professionals and the Corps, calling on the Commandant to promote such collaboration and cordiality.
On its part, he assured that Journalists in Taraba State will continue to play their constitutional roles of holding public officers accountable and providing accurate and balance reports in the overall interest of the public.
He stressed that the Union is always ready to work closely with the Corps to project its activities, advising the Command to be open and accessible to Journalists.
The NUJ Chairman was optimistic that the experiences of the Corps Commandant as a geologist is an added advantage to the state because of the abundant potential of Taraba State in the area, pleading with him to give adequate security protection to those potentials for the state to reap the full benefits.
Responding, the Corps Commandant, Mr Anthony Bala Bitrus said he is highly
honoured to receive the NUJ team, describing the visit as germane because all agencies require the support and collaboration of media and Journalists to succeed.
He observed that for the few periods he has been in Taraba State, the media has done greatly in the area coverage and reportage, promising full cooperation and partnership with Journalists in the state.
The Commandant announced that the NSCDC is actively working to combat vandalization NNPC pipelines and protection of other critical public assets in the state.
He emphasized that such efforts require the support and collaboration of the media for effective public awareness and the necessary support from the public.
Mr Anthony Bala Bitrus
Mr Anthony Bitrus also disclosed that the Corps recently intercepted trucks loaded with over 200 vandalized NNPC pipes., adding that arrests have been made in Iware, Bantaje, and Wukari in connection with the incidents.
He praised the support and cooperation of the other security agencies for the successes being recorded by the Corps in the state.
Commenting on inter-agency rivalries, he attributed such unfortunate incidents to inferiority and superiority complexes but quickly added such behaviours are minimal in Taraba State, noting that the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has been doing a lot to foster greater synergy and collaboration among the security agencies in the state.
