Nigerian Journalist Assaulted by Police, Media Rights Group Demands Justice
Nigerian police have assaulted journalist, Mohammed Adamu while trying to cover the Eid Durbar in Bauchi state, sustaining head injuries in the process. The Media Rights Agenda has called for the suspension and prosecution of he responsible officer, DPO Jamilu Kabir following the assault of the Albarka Radio reporter.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Lagos, Nigeria - Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called for the immediate prosecution of police officers involved in the brutal assault of a radio journalist Mohammed Adamu in Bauchi State, marking the latest flashpoint in a series of attacks on media freedom in Nigeria.
Adamu, a reporter with Albarka Radio, was reportedly intercepted and beaten by police officers on Saturday, March 21, while attempting to cover the Eid Durbar celebration in Bununu.
The Eid Durbar is a Muslim cultural and equestrian festival celebrated in Northern Nigeria to mark Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, featuring a grand procession led by the Emir, showcasing horsemanship, traditional music and vibrant regalia, honoring royal heritage and unity.
Witnesses and the victim’s testimony say the responsible group of officers was led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Jamilu Kabir.
Adamu sustained serious head injuries after being struck with sticks and was forced to flee the venue to seek medical attention.
The Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday, March 23, condemning the attack and pledging to sanction any officer found culpable.
While the MRA welcomed the Commissioner's swift condemnation, the advocacy group insisted that verbal assurances must be backed by transparent legal action.
"We consider the Commissioner’s swift reaction and his decision to constitute an investigative and disciplinary team as a positive step toward accountability," MRA’s Communications Officer, Idowu Adewale said, adding that the responsible officer should be relieved of duty as investigations are implemented.
"... the continued stay of Police Superintendent Jamilu in office gives the unfortunate impression that whatever investigation may be going on is not a serious one," Adewale said.
The MRA has formally requested that Superintendent Kabir be placed on immediate suspension to prevent the potential intimidation of witnesses or tampering with evidence.
The group argued that failure to hold high-ranking officers accountable fosters a climate of impunity that threatens independent journalism across the country.
"Security agencies have a duty to protect journalists in the course of their work, and not to obstruct or brutalise them," MRA’s Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi said, adding that, "such actions by law enforcement officials not only violate the fundamental rights of journalists but also undermine the public’s right to receive information."
The incident has reignited calls for the Inspector-General of Police in Nigeria, Mr. Olatunji Disu, to implement nationwide training of officers on the constitutional rights of the press.
The MRA noted that while the police and media serve different roles, democratic governance relies on a relationship of mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law.
The organization confirmed it would continue to monitor the Bauchi State Command’s investigation, stating that the findings must be made public within a reasonable timeframe to restore public confidence in the police.
