NUJ condemns gruesome murder of APC publicity secretary in Plateau

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State Council has expressed shock over the gruesome murder of Mr. Sylvanus Namang, a veteran journalist and politician who was shot in Pankshin over the weekend.

 This is just as the union finds the press statement by the Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police on the incident worrisome, as it raised more questions about the tragic end of the veteran journalist, thereby making it difficult for media men to report on what happened from an informed position.

 In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Mrs. Ayuku M. Pwaspo, and Secretary, Mary Domtur, respectively, the Council described the late APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Namang, as a thoroughbred practitioner who had a distinguished career that saw him serving as Editor of The Nigeria Standard, General Manager of Plateau Publishing Corporation (PPC), Director with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and aide to some key Nigerian statesmen, with his last duty post being the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Plateau State Chapter.

 According to the statement, the late Namy Namang contributed in no small measure to the growth of journalism in the state and beyond and dedicated his life to the progress and development of the country, both as a public servant and a politician.

 The Union is equally saddened by the security situation in the state, which has seen unwarranted attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, and other local government areas of Plateau that left hundreds dead, adding that the recent killing of Mr. Namang and other victims attest to the precarious situation under which Plateau people live.

 It, however, finds the press statement by the Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police on the incident worrisome, adding that it raised more questions about the tragic end of the veteran journalist, thereby making it difficult for media men to report on what happened from an informed position.

 The Council called on the police and other security agencies not to leave any stone unturned to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law, as well as double efforts to bring the pain in the land to an end by restoring security, law, and order across the length and breadth of the state.

 It therefore commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased, the League of Veteran Journalists, the Plateau State Chapter of the APC, and citizens of the state over this irreparable loss.