From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Eighteen journalists were on Saturday arrested by the operatives of Anambra State Vigilante Service (Udo-Gachi).
The journalists who had gone to Nnewi, in Nnewi North, Ukpor, Osumenyi, Ezinifite, Amichi and other communities in Nnewi South LGA of the State.
After covering the day’s proceedings, the media practitioners numbering 18 were forcefully stopped and detained for an hour.
“Journalists are the problem of Nigeria, they write whatever they like, and deceive the people, we will deal with you people today,” an overzealous Udogachi operatives said.
Some of the journalists and their cameramen arrested and detained were correspondents of Guardian Newspaper, Daily Independent, Authority Newspaper, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Arise TV, National Vision Newspaper and National Daily.
The leader of the over one hundred vigilante operatives said that the arrest was on the instruction of the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim.
As the altercations continued, the Deputy Governor in company of Nnewi South LGA Mayor arrived the scene and ordered a thorough search of the media practitioners.
The candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 8 Anambra State governorship election , Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu also arrived the scene and ensured the release of the detained journalists who he said they are just doing their normal civic duties.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the collation of the bye-election in the seven local government areas that constitute the Anambra South senatorial zone.