Insight #NigeriaDecides: In a worrying trend, journalists, INEC officials suffer attacks

As the results of the 2023 elections continue to trickle in, there have been reports of attacks on journalists and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.

Reports and field evidence seen by Dataphyte show that in different locations, INEC officials were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs.

Field reports at the Bayelsa East Senatorial District in Brass Local Government show that suspected thugs attacked INEC officials, as they scampered for safety.

It was also gathered that in Rivers State, in the East Senatorial District, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Ward 14, Polling Unit 11, an INEC official was beaten by unidentified youths.

Media reports had also cited that in parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, suspected thugs stormed Ward 9, Unit 3, Rumeme, commandeering electoral officers and materials into their vehicles, zooming off as security officials watched helplessly.

Earlier, the Independent Press Council condemned an attack on a Punch Newspaper Journalist, Gbenga Oloniniran, allegedly by a team of policemen. He was said to have been arrested and bundled into a police van.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, angry youths were reported to have attacked voters and journalists covering the presidential and National Assembly elections at the Liberty area of the city.

In Bayelsa State, three journalists covering the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were reportedly assaulted, with their phones seized and cameras broken, making it hard to carry out assignments.

In 2019, 36 journalists were attacked between January and July, with 30 attacks recorded during the 2019 elections.

A senior journalist and publisher was also attacked at Gwagwalada in Abuja, FCT, on Saturday.