Channels TV crew assaulted at Kwara PDP congress

Smashed Camera of the Channels TV crew

A reporter of the Channels Television in Kwara State, Mr. Akeem Garba and his crew were assaulted in Ilorin while they were covering the State Assembly primary of the Peoples Democratic Party at Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state on Saturday. Garba and his crew had gone to Yebumot Hotel, Ilorin, venue of one of the congresses when some thugs attacked them.

Garba said that the clothe of his cameraman was torn while their camera was smashed.

Garba said, “This morning when I got to Yebmot Hotel to cover the congress, my cameraman was filming while the delegates were just going inside the venue. About 15 thugs pounced on us and asked us: Who are you? Who sent you? All the explanations that I gave to them to know that we are from Channels TV did not yield any positive result.

“They started beating us. Even the clothe of my cameraman was torn and the camera was smashed and damaged. They were beating us right in the presence of the security operatives and they were just looking at us as if somebody’s life was not as stake.

“After the intervention of some elders of the party, we were left alone. Again, we identified ourselves that we are from Channels TV. They pleaded with us that we should hold on that they did not know that we are from Channels TV, and we can continue filming when some of them are carrying placards to show their protest aganst certain individuals that we can then come and film.

“About 30 minutes later, as we were about filming the protest, another group of thugs, about 20 in number, pounced on us again and really smashed our camera again. We had to run to a petrol station for cover.”

There has been recurring violence in Ilorin West LGA. Our correspondent gathered that the violence affected the congress in the
LGA.

There was, however, no report of violence in other venues of the congresses as of the time of filing this report.

The Kwara State PDP Chairman, Mr. Iyiola Oyedepo, condemned the attack of the journalists, wondering why journalists on their official
duties would be attacked.

He said his party leadership will address their supporters on the need to avoid attacks on journalists.