NUJ Orders Boycott of Government Activities over DSS Arrest of Journalist

Ololade Adeyanju

Journalists kicking against the arrest of their colleague in Kogi State have called for a boycott of all government activities.
The directive is contained in a communiqué issued by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Lokoja today.
The communiqué obtained by Newsmakers is protesting against what it termed as the unlawful arrest of one of its members, Friday Ogungbemi.
NUJ had called an emergency meeting when all moves to secure the release of Ogungbemi had failed.
The journalist was arrested over alleged offensive publication in the November 23 – December 15, 2016 edition of the Policy and Lawmakers magazine.
The NUJ statement reads in part: “In view of the gross abuse of office by the DSS, probably acting on the directive of some highly placed groups or individuals, journalists should indefinitely boycott the coverage of all government activities in the state.
“The NUJ noted with dismay, the ordeal of the publisher as well as the psychological trauma being experienced by his family.
“The state council of the NUJ, having exhausted all avenues to secure the release of Mr. Friday Ogungbemi, calls on the DSS, Kogi State, to secure his release without further delay as his arrest amounts to abuse of his fundamental Human Rights.”‎