By Our Correspondent
National News – Port Harcourt-based broadcast journalist, Allwell Ene, has stated that the 13 suspects arrested by the police over his assault are not the real attackers responsible for the incident.
Ene made the claim on Friday after participating in a police identification exercise in Rivers State.
The journalist, who works with Megaletrics Broadcasting Network, operators of Classic FM, Beat FM and Naija FM in Port Harcourt, said the actual hoodlums who attacked him while he was carrying out his reporting duties at the Garrison area are still roaming freely.
He expressed disappointment that nearly three weeks after the violent incident, the true culprits had yet to be arrested.
Ene called on the Nigeria Police Force to intensify investigations and ensure justice is served.
According to him, prosecuting those behind the attack on journalists would discourage future assaults on media professionals performing lawful assignments.
The Rivers journalist attack has continued to attract reactions from civil society groups, media organisations, journalists and concerned residents, many of whom are demanding swift action from security agencies.
Several advocacy groups have also raised concerns about growing threats against journalists in Nigeria.
Responding to Ene’s complaint, Rivers State Police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, explained that the 13 suspects were arrested at the same Garrison location while allegedly committing similar crimes, including phone theft and street-related attacks.
Agabe assured the public that investigations into the Port Harcourt journalist assault are ongoing and promised that more suspects could be arrested as police continue intelligence gathering in the area.
She also stated that Ene would be invited again for another identification process if new suspects are apprehended.
The attack on the journalist has renewed discussions about press freedom, journalist safety and rising insecurity in parts of Rivers State, especially in busy commercial areas such as Garrison in Port Harcourt.
