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The Ebonyi State arm of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has opted to repeal its earlier sanction, effectively lifting the ban on Ezza North Local Government Area.
The NUJ’s Ebonyi chapter issued a blanket ban on reporting in Ezza North LGA on June 19, 2024, instructing members to cease all coverage until the union decreed otherwise.
A violent attack on June 15, 2024, in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State, targeted Uchenna Inya of Sun Newspaper, Chinelo Okoro and Godwin Oguta of FRCN Unity FM, Abakaliki, who were covering a coronation ceremony, leaving them injured and shaken.
Following an emergency virtual meeting of the State Executive Committee on Monday, June 24, 2024, the NUJ’s Ebonyi State Council reversed its earlier decision, instructing members to resume reporting activities in Ezza North LGA effective immediately.
A communiqué signed by Sampson Nwafor, Chairman, and Nnamdi Akpa, Secretary, and distributed to members on Tuesday in Abakaliki, formally notified them of the decision to resume reporting activities in Ezza North LGA.
As the dust settled after a vicious assault on three union members, the Council convened emergency meetings with Moses Ogodo-Ali Nomeh, the embattled Chairman of Ezza North LGA, who urged both sides to sheathe their swords and talk peace.
Read also: Ezza North LGA: NUJ Retaliates Attack, Orders Media Silence
Nomeh’s tone turned remorseful as he censured the attack, apologizing profusely to the journalists and the NUJ for the harm inflicted. He vowed to implement measures that would safeguard journalists, ensuring that such a heinous act would never recur during his leadership.
Nomeh’s apology was backed by action, as he pledged to provide financial support to help the journalists fix their damaged cars and belongings, a concrete expression of his regret and determination to make things right.
“That the Council and the affected Journalists have considered the fatherly intervention of the Council Chairman, Chief Moses Ogodo-Ali Nomeh who is a true friend of the Media in the State and unanimously agreed that we are satisfied with it.
“Having extracted reasonable commitment from the Chief Security Officer of the Council concerning the safety and security of Journalists in Ezza North LGA henceforth, the NUJ, Ebonyi State Council, hereby lifts its ban on members from covering Ezza North LGA.
“The Council wishes to further clarify that the ban on members from covering the entire Ezza North LGA, which was viewed in some quarters as draconian, was not aimed at putting the image of the LGA and her people in a bad light but to draw their attention to the unprovoked attack on our members at Nkomoro Community, so they could speak up against it and bring those involved to justice.
“The Council also calls on the people to note that the Professional work of Journalists is clearly in the public interest, and acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.
