Journalists Attacked and Palliatives Stolen by Hoodlums in Calabar

An attack on journalists by hoodlums in Calabar, Cross River State, left Nigerian Tribune reporter Joseph Abasi-Abasi injured.

Hoodlums targeted an 18-seater bus owned by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that was transporting food supplies from the State Emergency Management Agency warehouse to the Ernest Etim Press Centre in Calabar.

The violent incident occurred around 10 a.m., with the attackers assaulting the NUJ bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, and an auxiliary staff member, Saviour Ekpenyong. The food items were designated for the NUJ Cross River State Council.

During the attack, the assailants stole some of the food items from the bus and inflicted severe injuries on several journalists. The bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, sustained injuries to his shoulder and face, and his phone was taken. Other journalists were also bruised in the assault.

The Chairman of the NUJ in Cross River State, Comrade Archibong Bassey, has condemned the violence and theft carried out by the hoodlums.