Three Nigerian journalists arrested for inciting violence against polio workers
In a follow-up to an earlier story where up to a dozen polio workers were murdered in Kano State, Nigerian police have arrested three journalist for inciting violence against the polio workers on a radio program, according to a News24 report today.
Image/CIA
Kano Police Chief Ibrahim Idris said Monday three journalists from Wazobia FM had been detained after they said on their show on Wednesday that immunization against polio was anti-Islam and a Western conspiracy to cause infertility in women.
This is a common sentiment among influential Muslim leaders not only in Nigeria, but also Pakistan. One Pakistani lawyer said, ”These vaccines are meant to destroy our nation. The [polio] drops make men less manly, and make women more excited and less bashful. Our enemies want to wipe us out.”
Polio is endemic in three countries – Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to the World Health Organisation, there were 121 new cases of polio in Nigeria last year, more than Pakistan and Afghanistan combined.
In a related story, three North Korean doctors were killed by armed men in Potiskum, in Yobe state in northeastern Nigeria.
Two of the physicians had their throats slit, while one was beheaded.
The doctors lived in the state since 2005 as part of a medical program between Yobe and North Korea.
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