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The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Monday condemned the reported assault on Albarka Radio journalist, Mohammed Adamu, by police officers over the weekend while he was covering the Eid Durbar celebration in Bununu, home to Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, describing it as yet another unacceptable attack on media freedom and safety of journalists in Nigeria.
The MRA called for an immediate, rapid and transparent investigation into the incident, which should lead to the prosecution of all police officers involved and adequate compensation to the journalist for the injuries he suffered as a result of the unjustified attack and the serious violation of his rights.
According to reports, Mr Adamu was at the venue of the event in the performance of his legitimate professional duties when he was stopped by police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Jamilu Kabir, a Superintendent of Police, while walking towards the designated area for members of the media to cover the event.
Mr Adamu said that when he insisted on his right to cover the event as police officers attempted to prevent him, he was beaten by several officers despite identifying himself as a journalist. He was reportedly attacked with sticks, causing head injuries from which he bled profusely, subjected to verbal abuse and forced to leave the premises. He was later treated at a medical facility for his injuries.
MRA Program Manager John Gbadamosi said in the statement: “We are deeply concerned by this incident itself, which also appears to be part of a disturbing pattern of harassment, intimidation and physical attacks against journalists in Bauchi State and across Nigeria. Such actions by law enforcement agencies not only violate the fundamental rights of journalists, but also undermine the public’s right to receive information, which is essential to 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 hinder or brutalize them.”
Gbadamosi, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police, 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.
It also urged the IGP to take urgent measures to address recurring attacks on journalists by police personnel nationwide, including through effective training, clear operational directives and strict disciplinary measures whenever violations occur.
The 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 media presence 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.
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