Akwa-Ibom - Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) in Akwa Ibom on Sunday brutalised the correspondent of The Nation, Mr Kazeem Ibrahim, at Government House, Uyo.
Ibrahim was among the journalists invited by the Chief Press Secretary, Governor’s Office, Mr Anietie Ukpe, to cover the thanksgiving service marking the 50th birthday of Gov. Godswill Akpabio.
No fewer than three SSS operatives at the gate seized Ibrahim by his throat, arms and waists and threw him ``violently’’ on the ground and he went into coma.
It took the assistance of other correspondents of National Dailies and sympathisers to revive Ibrahim.
The intervention of the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anietie Ukpe, did not help the journalists, but the Correspondents led by its Chairman, Mr Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, resolved to leave the scene to avoid further embarrassment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SSS had assaulted journalists in the state severally.
NAN recalls that the Punch Correspondent was assaulted and sent out of the state’s High Court for coming to cover 2012 legal year.
The District Correspondent of NAN in Eket was also beaten up by the police during the coverage of the June 9, 2012 Local Government elections in the state.
NAN