Hoodlums attack photojournalist as DSS, policemen look the other side

A photojournalist with Punch Newspaper, Sodiq Adelakun  was reportedly brutalised by hoodlums in Lagos, Friday after policemen and Department of State Services operatives failed to come to his rescue.

Policemen on duty

According to Sahara Reporters, Adelakun was covering a protest by the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress during the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association’s Annual General Meeting at Alausa-Ikeja when he was attacked.
He said the attack was carried out by hoodlums, who hijacked the protest at the NECA House in the glare of policemen and DSS personnel.
According to him, the hoodlums armed with guns, bottles and sticks arrived the scene in two buses and chased after him.
“I ran with all my strength, but I was overtaken, beaten, punched, stabbed…. my eyes were blank while they robbed me of my camera, smartphones and wallet,” he said.
“They threatened to gun me down if I don’t cooperate in the presence of the DSS and policemen. Sadly, for 10 minutes it was just me, my blank eyes and my creator.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, SP Dolapo Badmos, told one of our correspondents that she would make some calls to find out what happened and get back to him.