Nigeria: Violent Mob Attack Journalist Iniyekenime Bruce and Colleagues, Forcing Them to Flee For Their Lives
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed at the violent assault on media crew and urges security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice
Location: Nigeria, Nembe
Date: August 14, 2023
An armed group attacked journalists, including Daar Communications’ Iniyekenime Bruce, forcing them to hide to avoid assault. The violent mob took their phones and cameras, beating one journalist. The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges an immediate police investigation into the incident and prosecution of those who terrorized the journalists.
On August 14, a group of six journalists visiting Opu-Nembe, in Bayelsa State were attacked by an armed group and forced to flee into nearby houses to find refuge from a violent assault.
Reporter for Daar Communications Iniyekenime Bruce was stripped of her camera and phone by attackers and forced to hide in a nearby home for safety.
According to TVC reporter Joseph Kunde who was present at the scene, Bruce pretended to be unconscious to avoid being attacked. While a cameraman was brutally beaten and tied up by the gang who also took his filming equipment.
The media were in Opu-Nembe to report on a conflict that resulted in destruction of homes and a police raid. The crisis stems from a power struggle within the community for economic control and benefits from Aiteo, an oil company.
The journalists were documenting the destruction of properties belonging to exiled Chiefs in the area. According to reports, chaos erupted when the team reached the last demolished building. At that moment, a group armed with guns and other weapons descended upon them.
As journalists ran for their lives, police engaged the attackers in a shoot-out before clearing the route for press workers to escape to safety. At approximately 12:30 a.m. a police team successfully escorted the journalists out of the community.
The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned the attack on the journalists by armed groups in Opu Nembe. The council is calling for the return of the stolen items and urging the police to restore peace.
Journalists in Nigeria frequently face grave threats while trying to report. CFWIJ has documented numerous cases of women journalists facing extreme harassment in 2023.
In August, investigative journalist Karen James was forced to go into hiding after escaping assassination attempts following her expose of corruption.
In July, news director of Radio Rivers, Priestba Nwockocha, was abducted at gunpoint on her way home from work in Port Harcourt. She was released days later after her family paid a ransom to her captors.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the violent attack against Iniyekenime Bruce and her colleagues in Opu-Nembe. It is a miracle that the media workers escaped the terrifying situation alive. We commend the police for intervening and rescuing the journalists and appeal to the force to investigate and identify those responsible for the attack. We also call on community leaders and groups in Opu-Nembe to condemn violence towards the press, ensuring an assault like this never happens again.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.