*Condemns attack on journalist
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Borno State Council, Comrade Dauda Iliya on behalf of the entire working journalists in the state, has commiserated the government and people of the state over the unfortunate fire disaster at Monday Market.
A statement issued and signed by Chiroma Ali Ibrahim, the State Secretary of the Council, said the council also deeply sympathizes with victims of the inferno that led to loss of property worth billions of Naira, belonging to hundreds of traders and destruction of the entire market premises, urging all those affected to take it as an act of Almighty Allah and jointly continue to offer prayers against the reoccurrence of such calamity in future.
While commending the state governor for the emergency relief of 1 billion Naira, NUJ is calling on the federal government and its agencies like the North East Development Commission (NEDC), national and international relief agencies and philanthropic organisations to immediately come to the aid of the victims.
Comrade Dauda Iliya equally condemned in strong terms, the attack on one of its members and secretary, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and her cameraman by hoodlums while carrying out their constitutionally assigned duty.
“Journalists at all times should not be target of attack as the society need to be adequately informed on happenings around them particularly during emergencies, crisis and pandemics,” the statement said.
The union also commended the swift response by the military and rushing her to a medical facility for emergency medical care.
