The management of ABN TV has reacted to the invasion of its studio in Umuahia by officers of the Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday, describing it as provocative.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Director of the station, he said the invasion and arrest of a guest during a live broadcast, is an attack on press freedom.
Some officers of Umuahia Area command of the Nigerian Police at about 2:40pm on Tuesday had stormed the studio located in Azikiwe Road Umuahia and whisked away a guest, Udensi Bernard during a live programme, Youth Rendezvous.
The police claimed a senior brother of the guest, Uche Onwuka Udensi had written a petition against him over a family matter.
Okali said repeated pleas by staff of the station to the officers to allow the programme come to an end before the guest could be arrested, they insisted on whisking him away while the live programme was on.
He said, “We find this very provocative and indeed an act of overzealousness by the officers who obviously acted in clear contravention of the rule of engagement.
“It clearly also negates the enhanced police-civil relations which the Commissioner of Police, CP Kene Onwuemeile has consistently campaigned for.
“When the Director of the media organization who was in Aba for an assignment was informed of the development, he quickly reached out to the Commissioner of Police who immediately invited staff of ABN TV/Radio to properly brief him on what happened, officers on duty barricaded the door and harassed, intimidated and threatened to detain them.
“We also want to put on record, during the Gestapo arrest, many of our broadcast equipment were fatally damaged, including a laptop, camera and microphones.
“We find this an attack on press freedom and most especially, an open violation of the human right to expression, having taken place during a live broadcast where critical issues about youth development were being discussed.
“We demand an open apology from the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police over this unprovoked attack in our studio.
“It has equally left us with huge financial losses following the damage of our equipment. We are also calling for the replacement of the affected tools.
“From all indications, the officers were not properly schooled on best approaches to relate with the civil populace in a democratic environment where the media plays a key role in enhancing their relations with the generality of the society.”
