The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to take full responsibility for the medical expenses of a journalist allegedly assaulted by police officers in Bauchi State, while also demanding a public apology over the incident. In a statement released on Tuesday, the organisation’s Deputy Director for the Journalism Programme, Busola Ajibola, condemned what she described as the “targeted brutalisation” of Mohammed Adamu, a reporter with Albarka Radio, who was covering a Sallah Durbar event in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area when the alleged attack occurred.
According to Ajibola, the journalist was intercepted by a police constable at the council secretariat while attempting to gain access to the event venue. “Despite identifying himself as a journalist and presenting his professional identity card, he was met with hostility from the officer,” she said, highlighting a disregard for press credentials and professional obligations.
The situation reportedly escalated when the Divisional Police Officer of Bununu Division, Jamilu Kabir, allegedly approached Adamu, “and rather than ensuring his safety, pushed him and ordered his men to ‘deal’ with him,” the CJID statement read. Around ten police officers were said to have assaulted Adamu, beating him with sticks and inflicting a severe head injury that left him bleeding.
The organisation further alleged that the officers compounded the incident by abandoning the journalist at a hospital after initially directing that he be taken there, forcing him to pay for his own medical treatment. Describing the episode as a “gross violation of human rights and press freedom,” Ajibola stressed that “the press is a constitutionally recognised pillar of democracy and can only function optimally in a safe environment.”
CJID also expressed concern over the perceived lack of transparency in the investigation reportedly initiated by the Bauchi State Police Command. “As of the time of filing this report, the victim has not been formally invited to give a statement,” the organisation noted. Efforts to reach the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Habib Nafiu, and the DPO for comments were reportedly unsuccessful, with calls and messages left unanswered.
The organisation urged Inspector General Disu to ensure the immediate suspension of all officers involved to prevent any interference with the probe, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation that incorporates the victim’s testimony and results in “appropriate sanctions for all culpable officers.” Furthermore, CJID demanded that the Nigeria Police Force take full responsibility for Adamu’s medical expenses and issue a formal apology to the journalist. The organisation also appealed to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, to guarantee a safe and enabling environment for journalists across the state.
In tandem, the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has threatened decisive action following the assault. In a statement released on Monday, State Secretary Isah Gadau described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable,” urging all media houses to remain vigilant while awaiting further directives. “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,” the statement read.
Gadau expressed concern that such misconduct is occurring at a time when the NUJ is intensifying advocacy for professionalism and accountability among security agencies. The union demanded that Commissioner Aliyu immediately investigate the incident and sanction all officers involved, further insisting that the Bauchi State Police Command take full responsibility for the journalist’s medical expenses without delay. “Failure to meet these demands will compel the union to summon an emergency congress to decide on the way forward,” he added.
Responding to the allegations, Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer Nafiu Abubakar confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had condemned the incident and ordered an investigation into the officers’ involvement. “The Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction over the development, stressing that police personnel are deployed to protect lives and property, not to assault civilians,” Nafiu stated.
He added, “I see this incident as 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.” The police command also assured the public that an investigative and disciplinary team had been constituted to handle the matter in accordance with existing laws, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations and the official commitment to accountability.