- Safiu Kehinde
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have alleged seized the camera and other equipment of News Central TV journalists during their coverage of Nasir El-Rufai’s arrival at the anti-graft agency’s office.
NPO Reported that the former Kaduna state governor had yesterday presented himself at the EFCC’s office amid alleged financial misappropriation.
Ahead of his arrival, supporters of the ex-governor and several media outlets had gathered at the commission’s headquarters.
They however met strong resistance from EFCC operatives who warded them off their premises.
Videos shared on X showed the EFCC officials dispersing the protesting crowd with tear-gas, including journalists.
News Central would in a post on its X handle identified one of the videos recorded by the International Centre for Investigative Reports (ICIR) as the moment the camera and equipment of its crew were seized by the EFCC operatives.
Some of the protesters could be heard challenging the personnel over the seizure of the crew’s camera.
The broadcast station expressed its gratitude to ICIR for the footage which was considered essential to maintaining a transparent and objective record of the challenges journalists face in the field.
“Grateful to @TheICIR for documenting the moment operatives of the EFCC seized our crew’s equipment as we covered former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s visit to the agency.
“Footage of this nature is essential to maintaining a transparent and objective record of the challenges journalists face in the field.” The post read.
Meanwhile, the EFCC is yet to confirm the alleged seizure of the journalists’ camera by its officials.