Suspected political thugs attack journalists in Ebonyi

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By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

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About 12 journalists were allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs at Idembia in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while on their way to cover an event organised by Chief Ifeanyi Nworie, a new member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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The journalists, who were travelling in an official vehicle marked “Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),” were reportedly attacked by the suspected thugs allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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The attack occurred while the journalists were heading to the venue of the event, which had been moved to Nworie’s residence after the original location was reportedly disrupted.

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The suspected thugs, led by one Mr. Friday Agbom, a lawyer, allegedly descended on the vehicle, hitting it repeatedly in an attempt to gain entry and reportedly searched for fuel to set it ablaze.

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The driver, however, managed to manoeuvre the vehicle out of the area and escaped with the journalists.

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The attackers, said to number over 50, were still at the entrance to the event venue as of the time of filing this report. They were reportedly wearing T-shirts bearing the images of an APC lawmaker.

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A passerby was also allegedly attacked by the group during the incident and beaten until he fell into a nearby bush.

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The event, initially scheduled to hold at a village square along the roadside, was disrupted after the suspected thugs allegedly stormed the venue. The organisers subsequently moved the programme to Nworie’s compound, but the attackers allegedly barricaded the road leading to the residence and began assaulting people heading to the event.

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More than 20 armed policemen were seen at the original event venue, which was a short distance from where the road was reportedly blocked by the suspected thugs.

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