By Khalid Idris Doya
The WikkiTimes Media Foundation has strongly condemned the alleged brutal assault on journalist Mohammed Adamu of Albarka Radio by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Bununu, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State during the Eid Durbar celebrations.
In a statement issued on Friday by WikkiTimes's founder and publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the Foundation said Mr. Adamu was at the event in a professional capacity alongside other journalists and an information officer when a police constable prevented him from accessing the designated media area.
According to the statement, after identifying himself as a journalist, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Jamilu Kabir, allegedly ordered him to leave the premises, and, when Mr. Adamu insisted on his right to be there, the officer reportedly assaulted him, with other policemen joining in, striking him with fists and sticks. He later left the scene to seek treatment at a nearby clinic.
"This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a recurring pattern of police violence against journalists in Bauchi State," the statement said.
It recalled previous incidents, including the alleged assault of WikkiTimes Publisher Haruna Mohammed Salisu and reporter Kamal Ibrahim in police custody in 2022, as well as the detention of Mr. Salisu for five days in 2023 over what it described as fabricated charges while covering election protests.
The Foundation further noted that, "Across Nigeria, security forces are responsible for approximately 65 percent of all recorded oress freedom violations, and in the five years between 2020 and 2024, they attacked, detained, or assaulted journalists in at least 216 documented incidents. The police in Bauchi are not an exception to this pattern. They are among its most consistent practitioners," Haruna said.
"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," the statement added.
The Foundation disclosed that it has assembled a team of 15 lawyers, led by Barrister SG Idrees, to file a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Bauchi State Police Command, and SP Jamilu Kabir in both his personal and official capacities on behalf of Mohammed Adamu.
It said the suit will seek damages for physical assault, violation of Mr. Adamu's constitutional rights under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and obstruction of press freedom.
"We will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion in court and continue to petition relevant authorities within and outside Nigeria until justice is served," Salisu said.
The Foundation called on the Inspector General of Police to immediately suspend SP Jamilu Kabir pending an independent investigation.
It also urged the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police to identify and discipline all officers involved in the incident.
Also, it appealed to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Media Rights Agenda, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and other press freedom organisations to document and amplify the case.
"The press exists to serve the public. When journalists are assaulted in broad daylight, it sends a chilling message to the entire society and undermines citizens’ right to information," the statement said.
"WikkiTimes Media Foundation will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will see SP Jamilu Kabir in court," it concluded.
The spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, assured that a thorough investigation would be carried out into the matter, adding that any officer found guilty would face disciplinary action.
He emphasised that the primary duty of the police is to protect lives and property, not to endanger them.
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