By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA—Kogi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, will today inaugurate its task force against fake journalists.

The union in a statement in Lokoja yesterday, signed by the Acting Chairman and Secretary, Mr Sunday Aro and Alhaji Adeiza Momoh Jimoh respectively, said the task force would draw members from the Police, the State Security Service, SSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and members of the union.

The statement read: “The task force is aimed at checking the influx of quacks into the profession and curtailing the movement of unauthorised people into sensitive areas in the name of being Journalists.

“Authentic journalists from outside the state on official duties to Kogi State are expected to register their presence with the State Council of the union before going to the field for any assignment.”

The statement added that the union did not recognise any press corps in any of the three senatorial districts of the state and, therefore, warned those parading themselves as press corps from senatorial districts of the state to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

The union also advised government officials and news makers to be wary of fake Journalists, urging them to thoroughly investigate those who approached them as journalists so as not to fall prey to fake journalists and quacks who had infiltrated the ranks and files of the profession.

“This action is in line with the zero tolerance stance of the President  Waheed Odusile leadership of the union against quack and fake Journalists and all members of the union are encouraged to support the task force to succeed in its assignment,” the council added.