The Delta Broadcasting Service, DBS, Warri Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union, RATTAWU, DBS Warri Chapter have condemned in strong terms the unwarranted harassment, beating and manhandling of two of their members Comrade Linus Chima and John Osuji, by five thugs allegedly recruited by the Effurun Market master on Wednesday while on an official assignment to monitor compliance to the COVID-19 stay-at-home directive.
In a joint statement by the Chairman of the NUJ DBS Warri Chapel, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo and her RATTAWU DBS Warri Chapter counterpart, Comrade Isaac Oboh, the unions described the attack on the two staff of DBS Warri by the thugs as barbaric, inhuman, wicked, primitive and unthinkable.
The Unions noted that the attack on their members by the thugs from Uvwie Local Government Area was intended to frustrate them from carrying out their duties adding that members of staff of the station had earlier reported similar attacks from the area in recent times.
They therefore demanded the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Mr. Ramson Onoyake, to tender an unreserved apology to the NUJ and RATTAWU DBS Warri and staff of the establishment for the barbaric behaviour of the Effurun market master and his thugs; else all publicity regarding the council and its activities will be halted.
The Unions further called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the Effurun market master and his thugs that attacked their members.
They asked the council chairman to warn officers directly or indirectly working with the council to stop subsequent harassment of staff of DBS Warri.
Both Unions stressed that they will not succumb to any form of intimidation of their members in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility, particularly from security agents while monitoring the level of compliance of the stay-at-home order and other directives by the Delta State Government.