Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today condemned the reported assault on Albarka Radio journalist, Mr Mohammed Adamu, by police officers over the weekend while he was covering the Eid Durbar celebration in Bununu, headquarters of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, describing it as yet another unacceptable attack on media freedom and the safety of journalists in Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA demanded an immediate, speedy and transparent investigation into the incident, which should result in the prosecution of all the police officers involved and adequate compensation to the journalist for the injuries he suffered as a result of the unwarranted attack and the egregious violation of his rights.
According to reports, Mr Adamu was at the venue of the event in the course of his legitimate professional duties when he was stopped by police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Amilu Kabir, a Superintendent of Police, as he was walking towards the area designated for members of the media into the event.
Mr Adamu said that when he insisted on his right to cover the event as the police officers attempted to prevent him from doing so, he was beaten by several officers despite identifying himself as a journalist. He was reportedly assaulted with sticks, resulting in injuries to his head from which he was bleeding profusely, subjected to verbal abuse, and forced to leave the venue. He was later treated at a medical facility for the injuries he sustained.
MRA’s Programme Officer, Mr John Gbadamosi, said in the statement: “We are deeply concerned about this incident itself, which also appears to form part of a disturbing pattern of harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks against journalists in Bauchi State and across Nigeria. Such actions by law enforcement officials not only violate the fundamental rights of journalists but also undermine the public’s right to receive information, which is essential for the functioning of a democratic society.”
According to him, “under the Constitution of Nigeria, as well as regional and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party, journalists have the right to gather and disseminate information without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence. Security agencies have a duty to protect journalists in the course of their work, and not to obstruct or brutalise them.”
Mr Gbadamosi, therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, to order an immediate, thorough, speedy, and transparent investigation into the incident, identify all officers involved, and ensure that those found responsible are prosecuted before a court of law and punished accordingly.
He also urged the IGP to take urgent steps to address the recurring attacks on journalists by police personnel nationwide, including through effective training, clear operational directives, and strict disciplinary measures whenever violations occur.
MRA called on the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to protecting freedom of expression and media freedom by ensuring that security agencies respect the rights of journalists at all times, particularly during public events where the presence of the media is essential for public accountability, adding that the continued failure to hold perpetrators accountable for attacks on journalists has encouraged impunity and created a climate of fear that threatens the survival of independent journalism in Nigeria.
