By NewsDesk
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has strongly condemned the brutal assault on Port Harcourt-based broadcast journalist, Mr. Precious Amadi, allegedly carried out by members of Salvation Ministries Church, calling for a full investigation and prosecution of those involved.
The journalist was reportedly attacked and left unconscious by church members after he posted a report on Facebook about a fire outbreak at the church premises on 17 Birabi Street in Port Harcourt.
Mr. Amadi recounted that he had assisted in containing the fire by helping evacuate flammable furniture and attempting to reach the Rivers State Fire Service. However, he said events took a shocking turn when church members accused him of spying.
“They descended on me under the supervision of some junior pastors,” he said. “They destroyed my phones, inflicted multiple injuries on me, and held me unlawfully for hours. They even deleted my social media posts and wiped data from my phones to erase all evidence.”
In a statement issued from Lagos, MRA’s Programme Officer, Mr. John Gbadamosi, described the attack as a “despicable act and a grave violation of media freedom and human rights.”
“Such acts of violence against a journalist are not only unacceptable but also constitute a direct attack on media freedom and the right to freedom of expression, which are fundamental pillars of any democratic society,” he said.
Mr. Gbadamosi urged the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, identify all perpetrators—including those who ordered or supervised the attack—and prosecute them accordingly.
“The safety and protection of journalists must be guaranteed at all times,” he emphasized. “Any attempt to stifle media freedom must be met with the full force of the law.”
He also called on the leadership of Salvation Ministries to publicly condemn the assault, cooperate with investigators, and ensure justice is served.
Furthermore, he advised the church to educate its members on the role of the press in a democratic society, stressing that “the right of the members of the media to report freely is not negotiable.”
The incident has sparked outrage among press freedom advocates, who continue to demand accountability and protection for journalists across Nigeria.