Oppressive officers
In a condemnable case of abuse of power, Mohammed Adamu – a journalist with Albarka Radio in Bauchi State – got a raw deal from the police while covering a
- By Hardball
In a condemnable case of abuse of power, Mohammed Adamu - a journalist with Albarka Radio in Bauchi State - got a raw deal from the police while covering a Sallah Durbar event in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
The Deputy Director, Journalism Programme, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Busola Ajibola, in a statement, said police officers had stopped him from accessing the venue of the event, even after he had shown them his ID card.
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“The situation escalated when the DPO, Jamilu Kabir, approached the journalist and, rather than ensuring his safety, allegedly pushed him and ordered his men to ‘deal’ with him,” she said.
According to her, about 10 police officers reportedly assaulted the journalist, beating him with sticks, resulting in a head injury. He was left to seek treatment for his bleeding head. She described the attack as a gross violation of human rights and press freedom.
The organisation called for a thorough and transparent investigation and appropriate sanctions for the officers involved. In addition, the CJID demanded that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) take full responsibility for Adamu’s medical expenses and tender a public apology.
The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) also condemned the attack, calling it barbaric. In a statement issued by the State Secretary, Isah Gadau, the NUJ said: “This act of brutality is a gross violation of human rights, a direct attack on press freedom, and a disgraceful display of lawlessness by officers who are expected to protect, not harm, citizens.”
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It is reassuring that the police spokesperson in the state, Nafiu Abubakar, stated that the Commissioner of Police had condemned the incident and ordered an investigation. The police command said the incident was “an affront to Nigerian journalists, with whom we have built a mutual relationship over the years. We will investigate the matter, and appropriate sanctions will be applied to anyone found wanting.”
Police authorities must match their rhetoric with action. It is inexcusable that officers continue to assault journalists in the line of duty. This conduct persists precisely because the perpetrators seldom face consequences, creating a culture of impunity.
This encourages bullying by officers who treat their uniforms as a licence for aggression against the very public they are sworn to protect. Ultimately, a symbol of protection must not be inverted into a tool of oppression.
