The South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has strongly condemned the attack on a journalist and public commentator, Ambassador Allwell Ene, by suspected hoodlums at Garrison in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group described the incident as a direct assault on press freedom and democratic values, stressing that journalism is not a crime but a vital pillar of society.
According to the statement signed by its National President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, Ene was reportedly attacked and injured in what the group called a “brazen act of lawlessness” in the Garrison area of Port Harcourt.
SSYI said the attack goes beyond an individual, warning that it poses a serious threat to the safety of media practitioners across Rivers State.
The group condemned the incident in strong terms, insisting that no citizen, particularly journalists carrying out lawful duties, should be subjected to violence or intimidation.
It called on the Rivers State Police Command and other relevant security agencies to launch an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the attack, urging authorities to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible.
The group also appealed to the Rivers State Government to ensure adequate protection for journalists and media workers, emphasizing the need for a safe environment where the press can operate without fear.
SSYI further urged that the investigation should go beyond surface-level arrests to uncover the root cause, motive, and any sponsors behind the attack.
Reaffirming its solidarity with Ene and the journalism community, the group said youths across the Niger Delta and South-South region would not remain silent while media professionals are targeted.
It also called on media unions, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Chapter, and civil society organisations to closely monitor the case until justice is served.
The group wished the injured journalist a speedy recovery, pledging continued support until those responsible are brought to justice.
