HURIWA To IGP: Stop Police Harassment Of JKD Journalist, Let Masari Go To Court

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded the immediate cessation of what it describes as the unconstitutional harassment and intimidation of JKD Radio/Television journalist, Zainab Salihu Yabagi, by the Kaduna State Police Command.

HURIWA is particularly alarmed by reports that the police declared the female journalist wanted over a video explainer concerning Ibrahim Masari, a Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after heavily armed police personnel reportedly invaded the Millennium City, Kaduna studios of JKD Radio/Television on 11 September 2026.

A statement issued by the National Coordinator, HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, said that reports available indicated the police initially claimed they were searching for Yabagi in connection with a “stolen phone.” However, during the operation, the organisation’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security personnel were reportedly arrested and detained for more than seven hours.

It was subsequently stated that Yabagi was being sought over allegations including criminal conspiracy, defamation, cyberstalking, and bullying allegedly connected to Masari.

HURIWA therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, to immediately direct the Kaduna State Police Command to stop any harassment, intimidation or arbitrary pursuit of the journalist and other employees of JKD Radio/Television over the disputed broadcast forthwith.

If the Special Adviser believes that the broadcast defamed him, the appropriate response is to approach a competent court and seek redress, not to deploy the coercive machinery of the state against a journalist.

HURIWA strongly cautions against the abuse of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act as a convenient instrument for suppressing legitimate journalism and criticism. A cybercrime law must not become a backdoor mechanism for turning civil disputes over alleged defamation into criminal investigations, arrests and intimidation.

The Constitution is clear on the important role of the media. Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution places a constitutional responsibility on the press, radio, television and other mass media to hold government accountable and ensure that government remains responsible to the people.

Journalists cannot effectively discharge that constitutional responsibility if they are made to operate under the constant threat of police arrest simply because a public official is displeased with a report, commentary or video explainer.

HURIWA is not saying that journalists are above the law. Where there is credible evidence of a criminal offence, due process should be followed. But due process cannot mean sending armed police officers to raid a media organisation, arrest its personnel and declare a journalist wanted over a matter that can be subjected to judicial scrutiny.

The alleged use of police power in this manner is particularly troubling because of the reported involvement of a person serving as a Special Adviser to the President. No political appointment, proximity to the Presidency, or access to government machinery should confer immunity from criticism or create a private police force to settle personal grievances.

HURIWA therefore urges the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the Kaduna operation and ensure that the police do not become instruments of self-help in what may essentially be a dispute over alleged defamation.

The Federal Government must also ensure that journalists, broadcasters and media organisations are allowed to operate freely, safely and without fear of arbitrary arrest, intimidation or reprisals.

The growing resort to criminal complaints, police invitations, arrests and searches against journalists over their professional activities risks further shrinking Nigeria’s civic space and weakening one of the constitutional pillars of democratic accountability.

HURIWA demands that the police stop the harassment of Zainab Salihu Yabagi and JKD Radio/Television forthwith and that any person alleging defamation should pursue the remedy available under the law rather than resort to state coercion.