Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Suspected political thugs attacked a THISDAY correspondent in Ebonyi State, Comrade Benjamin Nworie, in the early hours of Monday.
Nworie, a former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, alleged that his attackers were loyalists of the Chairperson of Ishielu Local Government Area, Mrs Peace Agwu.
The journalist had contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship ticket for Ishielu LGA, but the party granted Mrs Agwu the ticket for a second term.
According to Nworie, the assailants questioned him before the attack over his decision to remove bamboo poles placed in front of his house by workers at the chairperson’s ongoing building project located opposite his residence.
In a petition addressed to the NUJ Ebonyi State Council and copied to the Correspondents’ Chapel Chairperson, Nworie said three suspected thugs stormed his residence, knocked on his gate, and began harassing him before launching the attack.
“I was attacked in the early hours of today by three thugs allegedly linked to the chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area, Mrs Peace Agwu, at my residence in Ugwuachara, Abakaliki,” he said.
“They aggressively stormed my residence, knocked on my gate, and questioned why I removed bamboo poles from my entrance.
“As I tried to explain and calm the situation—that I removed the bamboo because it blocked access to my house and had nearly caused an accident days earlier—they forcefully dragged, beat, and punched me repeatedly on the face and mouth.
“They also threatened to kill me and my family. It took the intervention of neighbours to save me from further harm.”
Nworie further alleged that he had suffered repeated inconvenience since the commencement of the building project.
“For several months, I have been parking my car in a nearby compound because building materials such as nails, planks, and bamboo litter the road.
“Most times, I have to clear the debris myself just to gain access to my house,” he added.
He called on his colleagues and security agencies to take note of the threats to his life and that of his family.
Chairperson denies involvement
Contacted for reaction, Mrs Peace Agwu denied any involvement in the alleged attack.
“It is a false allegation. I did not send anybody to attack him. He should provide evidence of his claims. I don’t know what he is talking about,” she said.
In a statement by her Special Assistant, Odi Chukwuemeka, the chairperson acknowledged that the incident stemmed from a disagreement between workers at her construction site and the journalist.
“This office notes with concern that the allegations appear to arise from issues relating to construction activities within a private property environment.
“While the chairman, like every other citizen, has the constitutional right to undertake lawful development on her property, it is unfair and unacceptable to attribute personal disputes or neighbourhood misunderstandings to her office,” the statement added.
NUJ condemns attack
Meanwhile, the NUJ Ebonyi State Council has strongly condemned the attack on Nworie, describing it as unprovoked and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by the Council Chairman, Samson Nwafor, the union expressed outrage over the assault, noting that the perpetrators were reportedly linked to the local government chairperson.
According to him, the assailants stormed the journalist’s residence in Ugwuachara in the early hours of Monday and physically attacked him, leaving him with bruises while also issuing threats to his life.
The NUJ described the incident as a serious threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists in the state.
The union directed Nworie to formally report the matter to security agencies for investigation and urged law enforcement authorities to swiftly apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
It also called on Mrs Agwu to demonstrate her non-involvement by assisting security agencies with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects.
The council reiterated its commitment to protecting journalists and warned against actions that could endanger members of the profession.
