Eyewitnesses reported that the journalists were assaulted by players of Police Machine FC, prompting the intervention of other Kwara SWAN members, onlookers, and the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the Emir’s Football Cup Competition.
In response to the incident, Ayodeji Ismail, the Chairman, and Dare Kuti, the Secretary of Kwara SWAN, strongly condemned the attack in a statement, emphasizing that journalists were professionals carrying out their duties as protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The attack on our members is unacceptable and goes against the principles of a free press. Journalists have the right to report without fear of intimidation or violence,” it said.
The statement added, “We demand a public apology from the entire Nigeria Police Force for this unwarranted assault on sports journalists. Our observation, backed by video evidence, clearly shows the unprovoked attack on Jimoh Bashir, Waheed Bibire, Abdul Momoh, Adeyemi Oluwafemi, and Victor Michael after the Police Machine FC and Musty FC final.”
The association issued a stern ultimatum, stating, “We are giving the Nigeria Police Force (Kwara State) 24 hours to issue a public apology to our members and the association. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to allow our members to carry out their professional duties reporting on the assaults.”
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