Amnesty Raises Press Freedom Concerns After Kaduna Radio Raid

By Peter Emmanuel |

Amnesty International has raised concerns over press freedom in Nigeria following a police raid on JKD TV Hamada Radio Network in Millennium City, Kaduna, where the station’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security guard were arrested.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 11, 2026, the rights organisation condemned what it described as the “unlawful and outrageous invasion” of the radio and television station by heavily armed police officers.

Amnesty said the incident was linked to efforts by the police to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer produced by JKD Radio and Television concerning Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs.

The organisation said the Kaduna State Police Command had already declared Yabagi wanted in connection with the matter.

Amnesty said the development raised concerns about the ability of journalists and media organisations to report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.

Amnesty Condemns Police Raid on JKD Radio

According to Amnesty International, the police contingent arrived at JKD TV Hamada Radio Network and arrested Abah and a security guard during the operation.

The organisation said the police told the station that they had “instructions” to arrest Yabagi over the video explainer, although the journalist was not at the station when the officers arrived.

Amnesty described the raid and arrests as an abuse of power and said the action should be viewed within the broader context of media freedom and journalists’ ability to carry out their professional duties.

The rights group also criticised the declaration of Yabagi as wanted, linking it to the video produced by the station on Masari.

It said no government official, regardless of position, should be shielded from scrutiny or criticism where such reporting is in the public interest.

Amnesty urged authorities to respect the rights of journalists and media organisations to report and scrutinise matters of public interest without intimidation or reprisals.

Amnesty Warns Over Growing Pressure on Nigerian Media

Amnesty International said the incident was part of what it described as a wider pattern of attempts to create a climate of fear across Nigerian newsrooms.

The organisation alleged that such actions could make it more difficult for journalists to perform their duties and for members of the public to receive information on issues affecting their lives.

It said the raid on JKD Radio and the wanted declaration of Yabagi raised questions about freedom of expression and the protection of media workers in Nigeria.

Amnesty further criticised what it described as attempts to restrict independent media, arguing that the public should be able to access fair and objective reporting on matters of public interest.

The organisation said attacks on the media amount to attacks on freedom, and called for an environment where journalists can carry out their work without fear of arrest or intimidation.

The statement came amid concerns over the treatment of journalists and media organisations when their reports or commentary involve public officials and politically sensitive issues.

Amnesty maintained that public officials should remain open to scrutiny and criticism, stressing that media freedom is essential to ensuring public access to information and accountability in governance.