The Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), Bauchi State Chapter, has condemned the alleged assault and intimidation of journalists by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State.
The chapter made its position known in a statement signed by the Bauchi State Coordinator, Nazif Bashi, on Tuesday. According to TIB, the incident happened during the commissioning of a 500KVA solar power project at the game reserve.
The chapter alleged that a DSS officer attached to the security team accompanying officials of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission assaulted Bashir Adamu, a journalist with the Bauchi Radio Corporation, while he was covering the event. It was also stated that the officer prevented another journalist, Isyaka Wunti of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, from performing his duties, despite the journalist identifying himself as part of the accredited media team.
Bashi said the group had spoken with an eyewitness who claimed to have personally witnessed the incident. He said the eyewitness account had increased concerns over the allegations and made an independent investigation necessary to establish exactly what happened.
“While we do not seek to prejudge the outcome of any investigation, TIB Bauchi considers any act of physical assault, intimidation, threat, or obstruction against journalists carrying out legitimate duties to be unacceptable,” Bashi said.
TIB warned that security agencies must not use their powers to harass or intimidate journalists who are carrying out their professional duties.
“Security personnel are entrusted with protecting citizens and maintaining public order. That responsibility must never become a license to intimidate, harass or physically assault members of the press,” he said.
TIB called on the DSS to investigate the conduct of the officer involved and make the outcome of its investigation public. It also urged the Bauchi State Government and other relevant authorities to support the affected journalists and take steps to ensure their safety.
TIB called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists and other media organisations to intervene and protect journalists from harassment and interference while performing their duties. TIB further urged relevant law enforcement and oversight bodies to conduct an impartial investigation if formal complaints are filed, adding that anyone found responsible should face the law.
The movement also encouraged journalists and media organisations to continue documenting and reporting cases of intimidation and interference with legitimate journalism.
“A free press cannot function effectively in an environment where journalists fear physical assault or intimidation from those entrusted with public security,” Bashi said.
“TIB Bauchi stands in solidarity with journalists who are subjected to harassment or intimidation in the course of performing their constitutional and professional responsibilities.
“We call for truth, accountability, and justice, not impunity.”
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