An identified State Security Service agent publicly flogged a reporter on July 3, 2013, while he was on an official visit to the Benue State Government House to deliver a press invitation to the state governor’s chief of staff, according to news reports.
The security agent refused to allow Chris Atsaka, the Benue State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to enter the building to see the governor’s aide, despite the fact that the journalist had an appointment with him, according to news reports. The agent then ordered a police officer to beat Atsaka with a horsewhip and repeatedly hit the journalist with the butt of his gun, the reports said.
It is unclear if Atsaka sought treatment at a hospital for any injuries.
In an unrelated episode, a police officer brandished his gun and threatened Rose Ejembi, a reporter for The Sun Newspaper, while she covered an event at the Benue State House, The Guardian reported on July 3, 2013.