Policemen from Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Headquarters in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday morning brutalised a Journalist with the Vanguard Newspaper in Warri, Mr Akpokona Omafuaire.
The Policemen led by Sergeant Godspower, inflicted bodily injuries with a machete on the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.
They also vandalized the Toyota Camry of the Journalist.
Mr Akpokona, who is also a lawyer said he was driving out of his street when he met the Policemen who blocked the entrance to the street.
He said, they stopped him and he obeyed as well as introduced himself showing his identity card.
According to Akpokona, “I begged them to allow me pass but Sergeant Godspower refused and harassed me. His other colleagues joined him and he (Sergeant Godspower) cut my back with machete saying we journalists are supporting the #ENDSARS Protesters. They vandalized my car. I don’t know what to do now.”
When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya in a telephone chat with Our Correspondent admitted that the Journalist, Mr Akpokona Omafuaire called to inform her of the incident.
She said, “He called me this morning. The Journalists are sometimes becoming our problems and I told him we want to reduce those moving on the road as we can.
“They should use their legs and not to go too far from their houses.
“You people are supporting the protesters. They were showing on AIT News yesterday. With the supports you’re giving to the protesters, dem nor destroy media houses?
“We are trying to contain this thing. You people are adding to it.”
When asked whether the incident actually occurred, DSP Onovwakpoyeya said, “He(Akpokona) was not attacked. He told me that they blocked close to their place and I told him we are not only securing the station, they’re securing other facilities.”
On whether the Journalist was macheted by the policemen, DSP Onovwakpoyeya said, “I don’t know about that but he called me and said they blocked close to the entrance of his street and that somebody was whether harassed and to rest of it and told him it’s only those on essential duties that should be out and if it is possible for you not to use your car, then go on foot.”
