Mbaka orders staff to beat up BBC journalists, confiscate equipment

The spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN) Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka and his staff allegedly beat up two BBC journalists and their driver in Enugwu.

Mbaka and his staff also confiscated their mobile phones and media equipment on Wednesday.

BBC Igbo reports that the journalists—Chioma Obianinwa and Nnamdi Agbaelo—were at the Adoration camp to interview Mbaka when they were attacked.

Obianinwa said the attack happened after they had waited for the controversial priest for three hours.

“We came to interview Father Mbaka in Adoration camp, but he told us to go and wait for him in his house, which is also in the camp.

“We waited for some hours before he came to see us. When he saw us, he started to show resentment, saying we had written bad news about him in the past.

“Father Mbaka then ordered his boys to take our cameras, cell phones and beat us,” BBC Igbo quoted Obianinwa as saying.

The attack might not be unconnected with an interview Reverend Father Ikedieze granted to BBC Igbo where he criticized Mbaka for involving in political issues, which he said was inappropriate, the BBC added.