The Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the alleged invasion of JKD TV Hamada Radio Network in Millennium City, Kaduna State, by a contingent of heavily armed police officers.
The organisation also condemned the arrest of the station’s General Manager, Mr. Charles Abah, and a security guard during the incident, which reportedly occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026.
In a statement, Amnesty International described the raid as an “unlawful and outrageous invasion” and said the arrests were arbitrary.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful and outrageous invasion of JKD TV Hamada Radio Network located at Millennium City Kaduna by a contingent of heavily armed police,” the organisation said.
“Both the General Manager Mr. Charles Abah and a security guard were arbitrarily arrested during the raid.”
According to the organisation, the incident demonstrates what it described as the Nigerian government’s disregard for freedom of expression and media freedom.
“The incident which happened today 11 September 2026 demonstrates President Bola Tinubu government’s utter disregard for freedom of expression and media freedom,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation said the police told the station that they had “instructions” to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer produced by JKD Radio & Television concerning Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs.
Amnesty International said the Kaduna State Police Command had already declared Yabagi wanted in connection with the matter, while her husband had also been arrested.
“Police said that they had ‘instructions’ to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi, regarding a video explainer produced by JKD Radio & Television on Mr. Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs,” the organisation said.
“Kaduna State police command had already declared Zainab Yabagi wanted. Her husband had also been arrested.”
The development comes amid concerns over the safety and independence of journalists and media organisations in Nigeria, particularly when reporting on public officials and politically sensitive issues.
Amnesty International said the incident involving JKD Radio/Television should be viewed within what it described as a broader pattern of attempts to intimidate journalists and create fear in newsrooms across the country.
“Attacking JKD Radio/Television is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job,” it said.
The rights organisation maintained that public officials should remain open to scrutiny and criticism, particularly when such scrutiny is carried out in the public interest
“No government official — no matter his status — is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public,” Amnesty International said.
It further accused authorities of targeting independent media in a manner that could limit the public’s access to information and independent reporting on issues affecting their lives.
“Such targeting of independent media is solely aimed at depriving people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International warned that attacks on media organisations and journalists pose a wider threat to freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
“An attack on the media is an attack on freedom,” it said
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