Nigerian police beat journalists, arrest protesters
Nigerian police have beaten several journalists and arrested 88 demonstrators at a union strike in Abuja, according to AP. Police reportedly told one journalist they were beating him to stop him from taking photographs.
At least three journalists and an unknown number of striking union workers were injured in the police attack today to disperse more than 1,000 workers gathered at a federal government complex in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to protest against hikes in fuel prices.[...]
Associated Press photographer George Osodi was among those injured. Three heavily armed police in riot gear dragged him from the rally and joined about 10 other officers outside in striking him with rifles, whips, fists and feet. Police told Osodi they were beating him because of “the pictures you people take”. Osodi suffered cuts and bruises on his body, arms and face. Police smashed his camera and took the rest of his gear, recovered later with the money and other equipment inside of it gone. Police also beat two journalists with Nigeria’s Vanguard daily, Rotimi Ajayi and Funmi Komolafe, as they tried to leave the rally. Ajayi sustained a black eye, Vanguard editor Gbenga Adesaye told The Associated Press. Police spokesman Chris Olakpe asked journalists to file detailed complaints, but declined immediate comment. – AP, Nigerian police assault journalists.