A former British Diplomat, Mr. David Roberts, has condemned the killing of SuperSport TV crew members on Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, labeling it an unfortunate act of criminality. In a statement on Monday, Roberts expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and their media organizations.
Last Tuesday, armed men attacked the broadcast station’s crew en route to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State capital, to cover the Nigeria-Libya Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match, killing two members and a policeman. Reacting to the incident, Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, blamed it on non-state actors.
“Non-state actors have continued to inflict pain and sorrow on families whose loved ones are often kidnapped and, at times, killed in gruesome ways,” Obi said on his X-handle on Sunday. “In particular, I condemn in its entirety the unfortunate killing of some crew members of SuperSport TV, who were attacked in a tragic ambush along the Ihiala-Orlu Road, Anambra State, a few days ago.”
However, Roberts clarified that the incident was an act of criminality by sundry criminal elements rather than terrorism. “By using the words ‘non-state actors’ to describe the perpetrators of this dastardly and cowardly attack, Mr. Obi has perhaps deliberately or inadvertently given the international community a clue that this incident was an act of terror or an organised act by a separatist group,” he said.
Roberts emphasized the need for clarification, as terming the event as terrorism tends to stigmatize Nigeria as a terror-invested state. “While the investigation is ongoing, it is clear that it was a random act of criminality by armed robbers or kidnappers, which have occurred globally despite the best efforts of governments.”
He warned that using the term “non-state actors” unnecessarily stigmatizes Nigeria, potentially affecting its index score in next year’s Global Terrorism Index. “Using the term non-state actors in this incident unnecessarily stigmatises Nigeria, which may tank her index score in next year’s Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.”
Roberts advised influential Nigerians to be mindful of the country’s international reputation when making statements about domestic affairs. The incident highlights concerns about Nigeria’s security situation and the need for effective measures to protect citizens and visitors.
The attack on the SuperSport TV crew has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for increased security measures to prevent such incidents. As investigations continue, Roberts’ clarification aims to ensure accurate labeling of the incident, avoiding unnecessary stigma on Nigeria.
The incident’s impact on Nigeria’s international image remains a concern, underscoring the importance of careful language in public statements.
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