NUJ-NAN condemns FCT VIO for allegedly assaulting journalist

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, FCT Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) employee that is accused of assaulting Mrs. Philomina Attah, an editor and assistant chief correspondent for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has been denounced by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and NAN Chapel.

This is stated in a letter dated October 5th, sent to the director of the FCT VIO and headed “PROTEST LETTER AGAINST ASSAULT OF A NAN JOURNALIST, CAUTION YOUR OFFICERS.”

The letter was copied to the FCT Minister and the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, and it was jointly signed by the Chairman, Collins Yakubu-Hammer, and the Secretary, Funmilayo Adeyemi.

The Idu outpost of the service’s VIO Officer, known as Officer James, is accused of acting in an unprofessional manner, which the union expressed regret for.

“On September 29, as Attah, an editor and assistant chief correspondent, was traveling to work for an editorial meeting, Officer James attacked her.

“Even though it was written on her car’s windshield that it would expire on September 30 and she had already started the renewal procedure with the service, he stopped her in the middle of the road at the Idu Junction, Abuja, and refused to let her pull over, alleging her documents had expired.

The aforementioned officer called her derogatory names and smacked her. Her car papers were successfully renewed, according to a text message she received on her phone a few minutes after the humiliation and attack.

The union stated, “As much as the union would like to refrain from filing legal charges against the directorate/VIO and the said officer for the time being, we will appreciate it if you can call your officers to order.”

Officer James of the Idu outpost of the service was ordered to submit a formal apology to the union.

Additionally, it asked the directorate to discipline Officer James in order to discourage other too enthusiastic service personnel.

The NAN NUJ asked the director to examine the officers’ tidiness, decorum, professionalism, and sanity when they are on the road.

“As collaborators in advancement, we shall consistently instruct our members to guarantee compliance with traffic signs, illumination, and timely renewal of vehicle documentation,” the union declared.