News Central Journalist Alleges Assault by Agbero During Lagos Street Interview

A journalist with News Central Television has alleged that she was assaulted by an agbero while carrying out a street interview in Lagos, reigniting concerns over the safety of journalists and the growing menace of street touts in the state.

The journalist, identified as IBK, recounted that she and her crew were conducting a vox pop interview when some individuals in the area became uneasy about the presence of television cameras.

According to her, the situation escalated when one of the men allegedly approached her from behind and slapped her across the face while she was carrying out her professional duties.

Although she said she did not sustain serious injuries, the incident prompted her to investigate the activities of agberos and produce a report examining their impact on residents across Lagos.

The report featured mixed reactions from members of the public. While many residents described agberos as a growing security threat, citing alleged harassment, extortion and violent behaviour, others argued that many of the street touts are victims of Nigeria’s harsh economic realities and are merely struggling to survive.

The alleged assault has sparked renewed calls for stronger protection for journalists, particularly those reporting from public spaces, where media practitioners increasingly face intimidation and attacks while carrying out their constitutional duty of informing the public.

Media stakeholders have consistently maintained that assaults on journalists constitute an attack on press freedom and democracy, urging law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute perpetrators of such acts to deter future attacks.