By Dan-Maryam Zayamu
As the #EndSARS protests continue across the country, some hoodlums have set the Lagos office of The Nation Newspaper on fire.
The office is located at Fatai Atere way, Mushin, Lagos
The print news platform is a business interest linked to the former governor of Lagos and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
Earlier on Wednesday, Television Continental (TVC) a television station also owned by Tinubu, was also set on fire by hoodlums.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has raised concerns over the rising attacks on the media and its workers.
It, therefore, condemned in strong terms the latest attack by unknown persons on Television Continental (TVC) in Lagos and other media houses.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, the NUJ demanded for immediate investigation into circumstances that led to the burning down of the station.
“The impunity against journalists and media in general is alarming and worrisome. The assault against free press is mostly evident in countries where there are dictatorships and authoritarian governments.
“Sadly, we are witnessing these attacks being targeted against media houses and journalists in Nigeria with lives of Reporters being daily endangered and continue to be as they cover the #EndSARS protests, and other flash point.
“While there is no way of knowing the motivation of every single attack against the media, we worry why Government is not showing support and concern for the safety and security of media personnel and equipment,” the statement stressed.
The Union, therefore, called on journalists to note that self-preservation, and staying alive should always be the first safety code.
“No assignment is worthy of the life of a media worker. Journalists should always evaluate the physical and mental demands of assignments, especially in crises or conflict situations, before embarking on them,” the Union warned.
