Death Of Precious Owolabi – NUJ Demands Thorough Inquiry To Ascertain Those Responsible

The National leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has demanded for a thorough investigation to ascertain those responsible for the death of 23 year old Precious Owolabi, a Reporter with Channels Television, who was on national service.

The NUJ while regretting the death of the young professional occasioned by the rising threats being faced by Journalists on daily basis while performing their duties, stressed that there is the need to bring such persons to account for their crime.

The Union noted that until recently, outside war zones and other conflict areas, journalists usually didn’t have to be too much concerned about safety issues, adding however, that unfortunately today, media professionals are facing a whole new set of occupational hazards.

The NUJ in a statement by its National Secretary, Mr. Leeman Shuaibu expressed serious worries by these dangerous trends and noted with disgust that Nigeria is shifting down in the overall press freedom rankings.

The NUJ National leadership also expressing sadness over the killing of Late Mr. Precious Owolabi,  a Reporter with the Channels Television in Abuja on Monday while covering a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, noted that it was an avoidable death, adding late Reporter died of bullet wounds sustained during the coverage of the protest.

It particularly regretted the sudden violent turn of events in what was supposed to be a peaceful protest by the IMN members, who were demanding the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky noted that the violence was toatally unnecessary and unwarranted.

The NUJ said it was not clear who actually fired the fatal shots, adding that a Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operations at the FCT Police Command, Umar Usman equally died from gun shots sustained during the violent protest.

Shuaibu further said; “While we grieve with the family of the deceased journalist, we caution media organizations against sending young and inexperienced journalists to cover dangerous assignments that ideally should be given to experienced professionals who are better prepared and equipped to carry out such duties.”