Edwin Osuala, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State, has issued directives for an investigation into the reported assault on online journalist Izunna Okafor by personnel from the state command.
According to a press statement released on Sunday by the NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer, Okadigbo Edwin, the investigation aims to ensure that anyone found responsible faces appropriate legal action.
Allegedly, Okafor faced a physical altercation with Civil Defence Corps personnel while attempting to retrieve his misplaced phone from a van that transported him and NSCDC officers to an event in Nnewi.
He said, “I was in the same bus with the civil defense officials from Awka to the venue of the Anambra South Rally of the Soludo Ambassadors, which was held at Nnewi on Saturday, while the same bus (provided by the organizers of the event) also conveyed us back to Awka.
“The officials had earlier complained of hunger and frustration on their way back from the rally, but trouble started when I wanted to alight at the UNIZIK junction, but the driver ignored me on the instruction of the civil defense officers, who insisted that everybody must remain in the bus and follow them to the very last bus stop where they would alight.”
