‘Agbero’ slaps journalist during live street interview in Lagos + Video

A News Central Television journalist, Ibukunoluwa Damola, popularly known as IBK, was assaulted by a suspected street tout while conducting a live vox pop interview on the streets of Lagos.

The incident occurred while the reporter and her camera crew were interviewing members of the public, with some people in the area reportedly becoming agitated by the presence of television cameras.

According to the journalist, one of the suspected touts approached her from behind and slapped her across the face.

Although she was not seriously injured, IBK said she decided to turn the experience into an investigative report highlighting the intimidation, extortion and violence many Lagos residents allegedly face from street touts.

Narrating the incident in a video posted on her social media platforms, she said: “Hi, I’m Ibk and I’m a journalist and unfortunately, this is part of the hazards of the job.

“Now, if you live in Lagos, you know that we have a serious problem with the street stouts known as Agberos, the entitlement, the thuggery and everything in between and on this particular day, it was just not my day.

“On this day, my team and I took to the streets to conduct Vox Pops.

“That’s where we speak to people about whatever the subject matter is and the people in the area were not happy about the cameras at all.

“And before I knew it, one of them came up behind me and hit me across the face.

“I am fine, but I decided to turn it into a report.”

The incident has drawn attention to the risks journalists face while carrying out their duties in public spaces, particularly when reporting on sensitive social issues.

Despite the assault, the News Central reporter proceeded with her investigation, using her experience to spotlight the activities of street touts and the challenges residents encounter in parts of Lagos.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖