NUJ Sokoto condemns alleged DSS assault on Council Scribe, demands investigation, justice

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, has strongly condemned the alleged assault on its Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Nasir Bello, a Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to the Sokoto State Government House.

This was contained in a press statement signed and issued on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji.

According to the statement, the incident occurred while Bello was covering a solidarity rally organised in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Sokoto State which terminated at Government House Sokoto.

The statement added that despite presenting his identification cards bearing the logos of NAN and NUJ, Bello was allegedly physically assaulted by the security personnel and removed from the area designated for journalists at the gallery.

It decried , “During the incident, his clothes were torn, his mobile phone was damaged, and he sustained injuries to his legs, hands and other parts of his body.”

The Council described the incident as unacceptable and disturbing, as well as a serious violation of press freedom and journalists’ fundamental right to perform their lawful professional duties without intimidation, harassment or assault.

It noted that it is particularly concerned about the alleged conduct of the security personnel, given the vital role journalists play in keeping the public informed and promoting transparency and accountability in a democratic society.

The NUJ emphasised that journalists are neither political opponents nor participants in political rallies, but professionals carrying out their constitutional responsibility of gathering and disseminating information in the public interest.

Consequently, the Council called on the Sokoto State Government and relevant security authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that any personnel found culpable are held accountable.

It also demanded that its Secretary be provided with adequate medical attention and appropriate compensation for the damage to his property and the injuries he sustained, and called for clear assurances that such incidents will not recur.

Furthermore, the Council urged the state government to issue clear directives to security personnel attached to the Government House and other public institutions to respect media practitioners and provide them with a safe and conducive environment to discharge their professional responsibilities.

The NUJ Sokoto State Council vowed that it will not condone any act of violence, intimidation or harassment against journalists in the course of their lawful duties, irrespective of the political party, individual or institution involved.

It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the protection of journalists, the defence of press freedom and the promotion of democratic values, stressing that any attack on a journalist performing a lawful duty is an attack on the public’s right to know.