Anti-Corruption crusaders backing investigative journalism based in Abuja with a field base in Minna, the Niger state capital, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC), has condemned in strong terms an attack on an investigative reporter, Mr Odimayo Olatunde working with Grace Fm Radio, Lokoja, Kogi State by thugs of ‘Marijuana’hotspot cartel in Lokoja, after his undercover story of the illicit business on his weekly programme sponsored by WAMAC with the support of MacArthur Foundation.
In statement issued yesterday and signed by the Programmes Officer, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC), Zubair Abdulra’uf Idris expresses shock at the barbaric and cruel attack on Mr Odimayo by those illicit drugs cartel; the statement totally condemned the act and said that it’s totally unacceptable to the journalism profession, particularly investigative journalists amplifying the fight against corruption and demand for Good Governance and Accountability.
The statement further urged the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayuba Edeh Ekpeji, who earlier on Saturday visited the journalist at his hospital bed through the Command Police Public Relations Officer to speedily arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack to face justice.
WAMAC equally urged the Police and other security agents to give maximum protection to journalists in their line of professional duties.
“While we await swift action by the security personnel on the illicit substance cartel in Lokoja, we implore journalists, particularly investigative Journalists not to be deterred in their efforts to unravel monumental corruption, economic crimes and demand for good governance and accountability for the betterment of our society,” the statement added.
The statement further called on all media professional organizations both national and international to join hands and condemn these attacks on Mr. Odimayo of Grace Fm Radio, Lokoja and device a means of protecting journalists in any part of the country from fallen Frey of further attacks, dehumanization and molestation.