Posted by From SEYE OJO, Ibadan on
Officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and no fewer than 40 journalists were on Monday attacked by 10 unidentified gunmen at the Development Support Centre, Iyanganku in Ibadan.
Officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and no fewer than 40 journalists were on Monday attacked by 10 unidentified gunmen at the Development Support Centre, Iyanganku in Ibadan.
It was gathered that the hoodlums arrived the center which was the venue of a training
programme entitled Capacity Development Training on Investigative Reporting for Nigerian Journalists, at about 2 a.m.
The workshop was organised by Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism in conjuction with EFCC.
Eye witness account revealed that the gangsters brandished AK47 rifles, and sternly demanded to see Dapo Olorunyomi, the Personal Assistant on Media to the Chairman of EFCC, who was one of the resource persons at the programme.
Immediately the gunmen gained entry into the section where journalists working for local and foreign media lodged, they were reportedly shouting, 'Where is the man from EFCC?" (Olorunyomi) intermittently.
Daily Sun further learnt that the gunmen eventually found Olorunyomi, hit him with the butt of their guns several times and in the process he sustained severe injury.
Other people attacked included, Ibim Semenitari, the publisher of Business Eye who lost her wedding ring to the gunmen, Dr. Doyin Mamoud, Mr. Steve Aborisade, Dr. Shola Olorunyomi, Sade Adeboye of Tell magazine and Barrister Jiti Ogunye.
Olorunyomi, as gathered, reported the case at the Iyanganku Police Station, but there was no light and operational vehicle to convey the cops to the scene of the incident.
The gangsters had, however, left before policemen could find their way to the centre.
The owner of the Development Support Centre, who is a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, was grateful to God that no life was lost during the attack.
Report has it that the hoodlums carted away cash, eight laptop computers, jewelry, cell phones and other valuables.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Oyo State Police Command, ASP Olabisi Okuwobi, said that the police were not aware of the development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre, confirmed the incident. He disclosed that he met policemen at the centre maintaing law and order.