24th January, 2012
The dead toll is still rising by the day in the wake of the senseless attacks unleashed on Kano, the most populous city in Northern Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect. At the last count, 178 people have been confirmed dead. Among them was a journalist working for Lagos-based Channels Television, Enenche Akogwu.
His death is not only appalling, shocking and condemnable, we join other well meaning Nigerians to demand for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.
It is our considered opinion that a meticulous investigation should be carried out to determine how Enenche was killed. Is it the security forces or members of Boko Haram that killed him? An autopsy should be conducted on his corpse and must be witnessed by representatives of his family, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Channels Television, Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Medical Association Nigeria, the Nigeria Bar Association and the Civil Society Coalition.
Enenche, 31, a graduate of Benue State University, Makurdi, was simply performing his duty that fateful Friday 20 January, 2012 when he was cut down by bullets in the crossfire between the Islamic fundamentalists and security agents. It will be naive to say that he was oblivious of the risks associated with the coverage of such violence. Enenche was aware of the dangers but like the true professional that he was, he knew that the job had to be done, irrespective of the situation he found himself. That was why he was employed, to report events as they unfold to the people.
But unfortunately, Enenche was cut down by bullets and the television camera dropped.
It is not the first time that journalists will be killed in violent situations. Hundreds of journalists have been killed around the world while covering wars, protests and demonstrations. Some were also victims of state sponsored killings because of their writings.
Enenche put his life on the line for the profession he loved so much. He staked his life so that we can be informed about the dastardly activities of the Boko Haram sect. The journalist laid down his life so that we can find solution to the Boko Haram uprising.
This is why everything must be done to immortalise this brave journalist. It is not enough for the Federal Government and some state governors to commisserate with Channels Television over the death of Enenche. What is important is to what extent has his death impacted on us all to embark on soul searching and face squarely the challenge posed by the murderous sect?
We must all rise to fight the Boko Haram phenomenon so that the death of Enenche will not be in vain. We are calling on the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and other democratic institutions to participate fully in giving the dead journalist a befitting burial and name an edifice after him.
The relations and family of the deceased should also not be forgotten. They should be comforted and compensated for the loss of their loved one.