Before the scheduled public protests on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, hoodlums in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, carried out a violent attack on journalists. One of the victims, Joseph Abasi-Abasi, a reporter for the Nigerian Tribune, was critically injured.
Additionally, the hoodlums caused damage to an 18-seater NUJ bus that was transporting food supplies from the State Emergency Management Agency warehouse to the Ernest Etim Press Centre in Calabar.
The attack occurred around 10 am, during which they also assaulted the NUJ bus driver, Mr. Joseph Akpaenin, and an NUJ auxiliary staff member, Mr. Saviour Ekpenyong.
The looted food items were intended for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council.
Following the assault on the journalists, the hoodlums managed to steal some of the food supplies from the vehicle.
The bus driver, Joseph Akpaenin, who had his phone stolen as well, sustained injuries to his shoulder and face during the attack.
Several other journalists also suffered from severe bruises as a result of the incident.
The Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Comrade Archibong Bassey, condemned the criminal actions of the hoodlums.