Kano radio station condemns Police attack on staff

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Premier Radio, a Kano -based FM radio station has condemned alleged brutal attack on its staff, Muhammad Bello Dabai in front of the Station while carrying out his lawful duties on Monday afternoon.

This is contained in a statement by Mukhtar Yahaya Usman,

Manager, News & Reports on Tuesday.

“The unfortunate incident happened at around 3.30 pm when the attention of Muhammad Beelo Dabai was called to witness an escaping thief that was being pursued by the public as he was running away from Nassarawa Hospital where the Police have taken him for treatment.

 “As the members of the public were in his pursuit and pelting him with stones, the thief fell down in front of our Station. Our staff, including Muhammad Bello Dabai were at the scene as witnesses before the Police Officer on duty in our station called the Area Command for Police intervention,” part of the statement reads.

When the Policemen arrived to take away the culprit,, according to the statement, Dabai was snapping the incident as a journalist for his news beat. 

“Surprisingly, without any provocation one of the police officers confronted him to stop him, and a fracas ensued. Even after Mr Dabai showed him his ID Card, and identified himself as a journalist,  he was forcefully manhandled by the policeman, who pushed him into their service vehicle, declaring that they would take him to the Police Station for interrogation and detention. 

“Mr Dabai was beaten and slapped severally on their way to the office, where he was also forced to lie on the vehicle floor.

“When Premier Radio quickly reported the matter to the Area Commander of the Metro Police Command to secure the release of Mr Dabai, the Area commander  rebuked his officers for their high-handedness. The recalcitrant police officers were however non-repentant and unapologetic. 

“Accordingly, we hereby demand a verifiable action on these unrepentant and brutal officers, including an unconditional apology without which we reserve the right to seek legal redress,” the statement added.