Our reporter
Joy Odigie, a reporter for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was manhandled by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at their Edo command headquarters in Benin City, an alarming incident that has raised concerns over the treatment of journalists
Odigie had visited the NIS office to interview the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ake Kenneth, regarding a recent burglary.
The offices attacked included the border unit, technical section, and the National Identification Number (NIN) unit, where hoodlums reportedly vandalized electrical cables and equipment, stealing money kept in a safe.
One of the perpetrators was apprehended by officers on duty on Monday.
Upon arrival at the command, Odigie was initially stopped by officers at the reception, who questioned her presence. Despite having passed through the initial security check, she was intercepted on the staircase by officers demanding to search her.
“I was already on the staircase when I heard some officers saying ‘excuse me, excuse me’. When I realized they were calling me, I came down and told them I was a journalist here to see the PRO,” Odigie recounted.
“One officer, acknowledging I was a journalist, began shouting that he wanted to search me, suggesting I could be carrying a bomb.”
Odigie protested, asking to see the PRO instead of being subjected to what she described as an embarrassing ordeal.
The situation escalated when a female officer intervened, referring to Odigie with derogatory language related to her albinism.
“She called me ‘you this stupid albino’, which was both derogatory and discriminatory,” Odigie explained.
When Odigie confronted the officer for her choice of words, other officers reportedly surrounded her, confiscated her belongings, and physically dragged her outside the office.
“One of the officers with a gun dragged me by the arm and pulled me outside the office. The umbrella I was holding fell from my hand and was taken by an officer,” she said, visibly distressed.
The incident only de-escalated when Odigie contacted the PRO, who intervened and ensured her belongings were returned. Kenneth has since apologized for the actions of the officers involved.
This incident has sparked outrage among media professionals and rights activists, who have called for a thorough investigation and appropriate disciplinary actions against the officers involved. The treatment of Odigie underscores the challenges journalists often face while performing their duties, and highlights the need for better training and accountability within security agencies.
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