Odita Sunday 
NUJ FCT seeks compensation for xenophobia, kidnap victims, condemns task force harassment
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has called on the Federal Government to compensate Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa as well as victims of kidnapping across the country.
The demand formed part of resolutions reached at the Council’s monthly Congress held at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Saturday.
In a communiqué signed by the Council Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, following deliberations by members, the union expressed concern over the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Congress noted that many victims had lost valuable property and continued to suffer physical, emotional and psychological trauma despite previous evacuation efforts by the Federal Government.
The Council urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with the South African authorities to secure compensation for affected Nigerians and facilitate the recovery of their properties. It also pledged to sustain media advocacy on the plight of victims of xenophobic violence.
On the country’s security situation, the Congress expressed concern over the continued abduction of students, teachers and other innocent Nigerians. It called for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation policy for kidnap victims, their families and security personnel involved in rescue operations.
The union also decried the indiscriminate felling of mature trees across the Federal Capital Territory without replacement, describing the practice as environmentally unsustainable in the face of climate change.
It urged the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation and the Development Control Department to ensure that every tree removed is replaced while strengthening measures to protect the environment.
The Congress further expressed concern over the growing number of destitute persons and street beggars in Abuja, calling on the FCT Social Development Secretariat to implement sustainable rehabilitation programmes to tackle the humanitarian challenge.
The communiqué also condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of residents by individuals claiming to be members of government task forces in the FCT.
It cited an incident witnessed by one of its members while travelling to the Congress, in which men claiming to be task force operatives allegedly stopped a vehicle, ordered a sick passenger to disembark and drove away with the vehicle.
The NUJ called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of such operatives, identify those legally authorised to carry out enforcement duties and prosecute anyone found impersonating government officials.
The Congress also warned that the increasing number of street beggars and destitutes in Abuja posed security concerns.
It recalled an incident in which one of its members was allegedly confronted while photographing a group of beggars near the ECOWAS Secretariat in Asokoro, adding that the journalist was only able to leave the area after an official convoy approached.
The union urged the FCT Minister and security agencies to take urgent steps to address the situation while ensuring that the rights and dignity of vulnerable persons are protected.
The Congress reaffirmed the NUJ’s commitment to promoting press freedom and advocating policies that advance national security, environmental sustainability, good governance and the welfare of Nigerians.
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