IPC Condemns Alleged Police Brutality Against Bauchi Journalist

The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, has condemned the allegedly police brutality against Mohammed Adamu, a journalist with Albarka Radio, while covering the Eid Durbar celebrations in Bununu, headquarters of Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state, over the weekend.

In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Melody Akinjiyan, the IPC said information gathered by the IPC-SPJ Hub detailed the unwarranted and inhumane treatment allegedly meted out by police officers, who physically and verbally assaulted Mohammed Adamu, while he was covering the festivities alongside other media professionals and an information officer.

“We were at Bununu district for Eid durbar celebration with the Information Officer and other media professionals. As I was heading to the place designated for journalists, a police constable stopped me,” Mohammed Adamu told IPC – SPJ Hub.

According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Jamilu Kabir, of the area subsequently ordered him to leave the venue.

“I tried to identify myself as a journalist, but he started hurling insults at me. Even as I told him I am a reporter, he began beating me. Other officers whom I knew joined in assaulting me. Many others kept beating and brutalising me,” he added.

The executive director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said, “The abuse of power and excessive use of force against Mohammed Adamu is very dangerous to our democracy and a major threat to press freedom. Such acts of brutality also violate the fundamental human rights of the journalist
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The statement added that this unfortunate incident raised more concerns about the safety of journalists in the country.

IPC-SPJ Hub urged the men of the Nigerian Police Force to desist from creating an environment where journalists will be afraid to work and discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

IPC-SPJ Hub also called on Sani – Omolori Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State to investigate and get to the root of the incident.

It added that the police should take adequate and swift measures to bring to book those who assaulted the journalist while putting in place machinery to compensate Mohammed Adamu.

“We also call on the Nigeria Police to step up the training of its officers to be more respectful and courteous while discharging their duties. They should be reminded constantly that the primary responsibility of the Police is the protection of citizens, including journalists and every other civilian,” the statement concluded.

On his part, 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.