The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone E, has condemned an alleged intimidation and threat to the life of its Adamawa State council chairman, Comrade Ishaka Donald Dedan, by one Hamidu Muktari (alias Dogo).
In a statement issued by the zonal secretary, Mr. Abubakar Musa Waziri in Bauchi yesterday, the union expressed concern over the incident which reportedly took place on May 30, 2025, during the Bwatiye International Cultural Festival in Yola.
The event was attended by the Governor of Adamawa State, security agencies, government officials and journalists.
The statement described the act as a brazen attack on press freedom and democratic accountability.
The union emphasised that threatening a journalist, especially during a state-sanctioned public event, represents a serious breach of civil norms.
Waziri noted that Comrade Dedan’s petition revealed this was not the first time Muktari had harassed or threatened media professionals.
He warned that such recurring aggression reflects a dangerous culture of impunity that undermines the pillars of democracy.
“We fully support Comrade Dedan’s prior reports to the commissioner of police and the Department of State Services (DSS). We demand an immediate and transparent investigation.
“Muktari must be summoned, interrogated and prosecuted if found culpable,” the statement said.
The union also called on the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to publicly distance itself from Muktari and suspend him from all party activities pending the outcome of an investigation.
The NUJ also demanded that the Adamawa State Police Command and the DSS provide urgent security protection for Comrade Dedan and his family.
“As this threat occurred during an official function attended by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, we expect the governor’s office to issue a public condemnation and ensure that state institutions uphold and protect press freedom,” Waziri added.
The union described the incident as indicative of increasing hostility towards journalists in the state, reiterating that journalism is not a crime and threats against the press are threats against democracy itself.
The NUJ warned that if local authorities fail to act, the matter will be escalated to national and international organisations, including the NUJ National Secretariat, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International.
