PSML’s CSO, Mobile Policemen Manhandle DAILY Post Warri Correspondent, Omonigho

Mobile policemen attached to Premium Steel and Mines Limited, operators of DSC in Oviwan/Aladja on Wednesday assaulted the Warri Correspondent of Daily Post online newspaper, Matthew Omonigho, destroying his mobile phone.

It was gathered that the Chief Security Officer of the company allegedly ordered Omonigho to be beaten up by security details while he was on his lawful duty to cover a protest by Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

Omonigho was at the company premises to cover the peaceful protest at about 7:am and was waiting the convener one Mr. Sam Agberhiere, a National Officer of the Iron & Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria when the company’s CSO and one DSP JC Apah accosted him.

BigPen Online was told that for reason yet to fathom, the overzealous CSO threatened to seize the journalist photo-camera after he had damaged his mobile phone, claiming that the journalist was in the premises to publish negative report against them.

Narrating the incident to newsmen, Omonigho said “I was called that a protest was about going on at the DSC company yard and I rushed down with my Nikon D80 photo camera to cover it.

“On getting there, about three mobile policemen inquired to
know who I was and my mission. I quickly introduced myself as
the Daily Post Warri, Delta State Correspondent.

“While I was standing over the road waiting for one Mr. Sam
Agberhiere, a National Officer of the Iron & Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria who invited me for the protest to show up, one DSP JC Ayah came over and ordered me out of the premises immediately.

“The CSO inquired if I was accredited to cover the protest in the yard of which I retorted; ”I was invited by Mr. Sam Agberhiere and that is the accreditation I have to cover the protest. I have called him and he said he is on his way to the place.”

“As if that was not enough explanation, like ordering a child, the CSO shouted at me; “My friend, leave this place before I open my eyes or I will deal with you.”

“I tried to calm him down that I was there for both parties
including the company and the protesters but the CSO pushed, slapped,
kicked and ordered some mobile policemen to flog me which they did
with threats to seize my camera.

“It took the intervention of a good Samaritan who was going to work
with his motorcycle to get me out of their grip.

“After I was rescued, I later reported the matter verbally to the Ovwian/Aladja
Divisional Police Officer, CSP Joseph.A. Esegine who promised to take it up with
the CSO”.