Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State chapter, under the chairmanship of Comrade Festus Alenkhe, has debunked the rumour littering the social media spaces of a purported arrest of a Journalist by the Edo state government.
Event and Fake News
A few hours after the executive governor of Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo presented the 2025 state budget of ₦605BN before the House of Assembly, the social media spaces became awash with fake news that an unnamed Nigeria Television Authority reporter was arrested at the Anthony Enahoro Complex.
The purported arrest was said to have taken place by the security operatives of the governor “because the reporter failed to cut off his coverage” when the governor missed some figures while calling out the sum figures of the proposed budget.
NUJ Reveals the Truth
Denying the fake news as reported by news outlets believed to be on the People’s Democratic Party’s payroll, the Edo NUJ made a release on Thursday, December 11, evening.
The release, signed by the Chairman of the state’s chapter of NUJ, Festus Alenkhe and the General Secretary, Andy Egbon, reads “The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council wish to bring to the attention of the General Public that contrary to recent reports, no journalist was arrested on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Edo State House of Assembly during the budget presentation by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo state.”
“The leadership of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is categorically refuting the report mainly published by some online bloggers. Consequently, members of the general public are hereby advised to disregard the statement as it remains unfounded without any iota of truth.”
“We assure all stakeholders that the welfare and safety of journalists in Edo State remain a priority for the union.”