By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
WikkiTimes Media Foundation has threatened to institute a legal action against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Bauchi State Police Commissioner and SP Jamilu
Kabir in his personal and official capacities, on behalf of Mohammed Adamu, a Journalist with Albarka FM Radio Station, Bauchi who was brutalized and dehumanized by the Police.
The threat was made by Harua Mohammed Salisu,
Founder/Publisher, WikkiTimes, in a statement issued by WikkiTimes Media Foundation titled RE: Police Assault on Journalist Mohammed Adamu in Tafawa Balewa— WikkiTimes Media Foundation Condemns.
According to him, “The suit will seek damages for physical assault, a violation of Mohammad Adamu’s constitutionally guaranteed rights under Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and the unlawful obstruction of press freedom.”
He declared that, “The Foundation has assembled a team of 15 Lawyers, led by SG Idrees, to file a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Bauchi State Police Command, and SP Jamilu Kabir in his personal and official capacities, on behalf of Mohammed Adamu.”
He therefore called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to immediately suspend SP Jamilu Kabir, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Bununu Police Division in Bauchi State Police Command, pending the outcome of an independent investigation over alleged brutality and dehumanising of a Journalist working with Bauchi based Albarka FM radio station, Mohammed Adamu .
He also called on the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, to ensure that all Officers involved in the assault are identified and subjected to
disciplinary proceedings.
Furthermore, he called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Media Rights Agenda, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and all press freedom organisations to document and
amplify the case.
According to him, “The press exists to serve the public. When Police beat Journalists at a public event, in daylight, in the presence of witnesses, the message is not directed at one Reporter. It is
directed at every Journalist in Bauchi State, every Community that depends on them, and
every citizen whose right to information is severed the moment the blows begin to fall.
WikkiTimes Media Foundation will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will see SP
Jamilu Kabir in court.”
The WikkiTimes Foundation then condemned in strongest terms, the act of the Policemen and announced legal action.
The WikkiTimes Media Foundation also condemned without reservation, the brutal assault on Mohammed Adamu of Albarka Radio by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in
Bununu, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on the occasion of the Eid
Durbar celebrations.
He explained that Mohammed Adamu was present at the event in a professional capacity, alongside other Journalists and
an Information Officer, when a Police Constables stopped him from entering the designated
media area.
“When he identified himself as a Journalist, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Jamilu Kabir, ordered him to vacate the premises and, upon Mr. Adamu’s insistence on his rights, proceeded to beat him. Other Officers joined in the assault, striking him with fists and sticks. Mohammad Adamu left the scene to seek medical treatment at a local clinic,” he added.
Haruna Mohammed stressed that, “This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a documented, recurring pattern of Police violence against Journalists in Bauchi State. WikkiTimes publisher Haruna Mohammed Salisu and
reporter Kamal Ibrahim were beaten in police custody in 2022.”
He added that,”In 2023, Mr. Salisu was assaulted and detained for five days on fabricated charges during election protest coverage.
Across Nigeria, security forces are responsible for approximately 65 percent of all recorded
press freedom violations, and in the five years between 2020 and 2024, they attacked, detained, or assaulted Journalists in at least 216 documented incidents.”
He added that,”The Police in Bauchi State Command are not an exception to this pattern. They are among its most consistent practitioners. SP Jamilu Kabir ordered and led this assault on a Journalist who was lawfully present, visibly identified, and professionally accredited. That is not a lapse in judgment. It is a deliberate act of intimidation carried out under the cover of a festive public event, against a man who had done nothing except attempt to do his job.”
According to Haruna Mohammed, “We will pursue this matter to its conclusion in the courts. We will also petition the Police within and outside Nigeria until appropriate action is taken to restore Adamu’s rights and to punish the police officer(s) involved in this dastardly act.”
Mohammed Adamu soaked in blood
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