In a concerning incident highlighting the challenges faced by journalists, Amadi Precious, a reporter based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was allegedly assaulted by members of Salvation Ministries after raising an alarm about a fire outbreak within the church premises.
According to reports, while returning from work, Amadi noticed flames emanating from the Glorious Chapel of Salvation Ministries, located at 17 Birabi Street, GRA, Port Harcourt. Acting promptly, he assisted in evacuating chairs and attempted to contain the fire by fetching water. He also made multiple calls to the Rivers State Fire Service, but his distress calls reportedly went unanswered.
Despite his efforts, some church members allegedly turned on him, accusing him of being a spy sent to attack the church's leader, Pastor David Ibiyeomie. The situation escalated as they reportedly beat him mercilessly, damaged his two phones, and inflicted multiple injuries. In an attempt to seek help, Amadi posted an SOS message on Facebook, which further enraged the church members. Under the supervision of some junior pastors, he was allegedly subjected to further assault, accused of causing the fire, and locked in a room for several hours. He was eventually released around 1 AM the next day, but not before church members allegedly deleted his social media posts and wiped data from his phone to erase evidence.
In response to the incident, Salvation Ministries acknowledged a minor fire outbreak in a statement signed by the church administrator, assuring the public that all facilities within the premises are intact and that regular activities and operations would continue as scheduled.
This incident underscores the potential dangers faced by journalists and good Samaritans in emergency situations, particularly when their intentions are misunderstood. It also raises concerns about the treatment of individuals attempting to assist during crises and the importance of clear communication to prevent such misunderstandings.