Bauchi NUJ decry connivance between politicians, security operatives to intimidate journalists

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Following the arrest, detention and harassment of Publisher of WikkiTimes online newspaper, Haruna Mohammed and reporter Kamal Idris early this week, the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed dismay over the incident.

A press release jointly signed by the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Umar Sa’id and the Secretary, Isah Garba Gadau on Wednesday kicked against the act.

The Bauchi state council of the NUJ which kicked against the incident, noted with dismay the way and manner in which some politicians connive with security operatives to intimidate and harass its members through various forms of threats and harassments.

“The union is particularly worried over the recent arrest and detention of the publisher of WikkiTimes, Haruna Mohammed and his reporter Kamal Idris based on a petition by a member of the National Assembly from the state, Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi”, the NUJ said.

It reiterated its determination to ensure that Journalists in the State work according to best practices and by adhering strictly to the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.

The NUJ however noted that it will not tolerate a situation where politicians who have issues to hide use security operatives to perpetrate acts of impunity against Journalists.

“It is in this respect that we condemn in the strongest of terms the arrest and detention of the two Journalists in question because of their professional work”, the press release said.

It maintained that the union is willing at all times to engage aggrieved individuals or groups in dialogue to resolve any perceived acts of professional breaches by members of the Union in a manner that will be acceptable to both parties.

“We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release of the two journalists to enable them to continue their professional work without let or hindrance”, the NUJ demanded.