Journalists in Port Harcourt have condemned the brutalization of a reporter with Save A life Radio Amadi Precious, who was beaten up and detained by officials of Salvation Ministries, one of the biggest churches in Port Harcourt.
Amadi, who said he’s a member of the church, met his ordeal when he joined to put out a fire at the church’s headquarters.
The church members, according to Amadi, led by some pastors beat him up and locked him in a car garage within the church’s premises. They also seized his phones, deleted materials on them before destroying the phones.
He said the church officials were angry with him that he sent out distress signals about the fire incident.
“The only crime I committed was sending an SOS alert to Rivers State Fire Service to come and quench the fire,” he said on Facebook post he made after he was freed from detention on Sunday.
Apparently, the church members did not want the incident to go public and were incensed when they read his posts about the fire on Facebook.
He said they called him a spy sent to attack the leader of the church, Pst David Ibiyeomie. “Even when I told them I was a member of the church, they never listened to me. They beat me and locked me up for several hours. They said they would kill me that I had come to denigrate Pst Ibiyeomie,” he lamented.
“I am in total disarray. After everything, I am told not to speak up. I am told that nothing happened, that a fire never occurred. This will not be the last of it,” Amadi vowed, promising to get everyone that participated in brutalising him to pay for it.
In an official statement on the incident, the Church Administrator, said the fire was a minor outbreak, which should not cause any serious concern.
“It is important for us to clarify that all facilities within the premises are intact. Therefore regular activities and operations will continue as scheduled,” the statement said.
In several reactions, media practitioners in Port Harcourt called for justice for Amadi.
“The alleged attack raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of individuals within their own communities, and the potential breakdown of trust and accountability. I urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action, ensure the victim receives necessary support, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” he said.
Journalists Demand Justice For Amadi Precious Beaten up By Salvation Ministries Members For Reporting Fire Outbreak In Church
