Protest turns violent as hoodlums maim journalists and vandalize the NUJ bus. Read more about the chaos and its aftermath.

On Thursday 1st August, 2024, prior to the start of public demonstrations, Calabar’s hooligans attacked journalists. Regrettably, Joseph Abasi-Abasi from Nigerian Tribune was severely injured during this incident that occurred in Cross River State’s capital.

The delinquents have damaged an NUJ bus with a capacity of 18 seats that was transporting food supplies from the State Emergency Management Agency storage facility to the Ernest Etim Press Centre in Calabar.

At approximately 10 am, the incident occurred.

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In addition, Mr. Joseph Akpaenin – the bus driver for NUJ and Mr. Saviour Ekpenyong who works as an auxiliary staff member were also physically attacked by them.

The palliatives are the property of Cross River State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Following their attack on the journalists, they were able to abscond with a portion of the food items stored in the vehicle.

Joseph Akpaenin, the bus driver whose phone was also snatched away during the incident, suffered injuries to his shoulder and face after being brutally assaulted.

Several additional journalists obtained severe bruises.

Comrade Archibong Bassey, the state’s NUJ Chairman, has denounced the unlawful behavior.