The Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed that they invaded the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Aba Road, Umuahia, in addition to destroyed their recording devices because they were taking their pictures.
The armed services yet kept mum on the alleged invasion of the theatre of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Journalists at the NUJ secretariat had reported that the soldiers claimed they saw individual taking photographs of them from the building.
The Chairman of Council Mr. John Emejor who expressed disappointment over the incidents said a National officeholder of the Union Ezeogo Bonny Okoro was slapped past times 1 of the soldiers.
He said: “Our press centre was invaded past times soldiers, 2 Journalists lost their IPads in addition to phones, piece a national leader inward the purpose was attacked.
“Our stand upward is that those involved inward this laid upward on on innocent Journalists should endure fished out in addition to punished inward line amongst the constitution of the Country.”
Reacting to the report, the regular army inward a disputation by Major Oyegoke Badamosi, said: "What happened was that piece the soldiers on patrol nigh the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed but about people filming them. Unfortunately, they seized in addition to damaged their recording devices; an iPad in addition to 2 mobile phones.
Mr. Badamosi noted that “while it was truthful in that place was an consequence betwixt but about soldiers on routine patrol, the magnitude is non every bit was reported.”
The sum disputation reads:
The attending of fourteen Brigade Nigerian Army, has been drawn to social media publications alleging that troops on patrol inward Umuahia town accept invaded the NUJ Press Centre inward Umuahia at nigh 10.00am today.
While it was truthful in that place was an consequence betwixt but about soldiers on routine patrol, the magnitude is non every bit was reported. What happened was that piece the soldiers on patrol nigh the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed but about people filming them. Unfortunately, they seized in addition to damaged their recording devices; an iPad in addition to 2 mobile phones. Preliminary investigation shows that the items belongs to journalists on their legitimate duties. Consequently, the Commander fourteen Brigade in addition to Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the affair which has since been resolved amicably.
In addition, the soldiers involved volition appear upward disciplinary action.
The world are delight requested to eschew rumour mongering in addition to become nigh their lawful business.