The Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, the umbrella body of all the youth groups in South East, South South, South West and Middle Belt regions condemned in strongest terms the attack on Thisday office at Utako, Abuja by armed gunmen who threatened to kill all the staff on duty if the staff dared to alert the police.
The Coalition said, “it is a vicious and ferocious attempt to gag the press in a democracy and it cannot stand. These attack is a blow to press freedom. It showcases once again the brazen way to intimidate and harass the press.”
In a statement which was signed by the President General, Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem, Coordinator, Terrence Kuanum and two others which was sent to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the Coalition described the attack on as an attempt to gag the press.
The statement reads: “The attack on Thisday newspaper will not be far-fetched from the fact that it has maintained his professional ethics and standard over the years in journalism and news reporting. The news house is known for objectivity and truthfulness in its dealings and has always stand firmly with the people and the downtrodden and some people are not happy about it hence the attack on this renowned professional newspaper establishment.
“It is not a coincidence that On April 26, 2012, some suicide bombers hit THISDAY offices in Abuja and Kano, killing at least 11 persons. However, while rescue was ongoing in Abuja in the wake of the attack, another explosion went off in its Kaduna office.
“This attack on the Utako , Abuja office of Thisday must be unraveled by the police and other security agencies and those responsible brought to justice. Abuja is the nucleus of the nation’s sovereignty and if criminal elements can attack any section of it without being apprehended or arrested, it then means that the country is gone.
“We warn those threatening and attacking the press to desist from it henceforth or the will attract the exasperation of the youths. Never again should this kind of attack happen to Thisday or any other newspaper houses , Radio and Television stations inclusive.
“We call on the youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs to attack the press, anyone or any property. If those demons who enjoy killing and destroying properties contract any youth for such dirty jobs, the youth should tell them to engage their biological children to do the job and see how they will react.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians to ” rise up and defend” the press who are targets for destruction because of their stand for truth and defence of the people.”
