Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has officially welcomed the commitment made by the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, to investigate the brutal assault of Mr. Mohammed Adamu, a journalist with Albarka Radio, by officers under his command.
While the rights group acknowledged the Commissioner’s condemnation of the attack, it insisted that only a transparent investigation and the immediate suspension of the lead officer involved would ensure justice and restore public confidence.
The Commissioner’s Pledge
The development follows a high-level meeting on March 23, 2026, where Commissioner Aliyu met with the leadership of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, management from Albarka Radio, and the victim’s relatives.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Nafiu Habib, the Commissioner described the assault as an affront to journalists and an act that undermines media freedom. He reaffirmed that police personnel are deployed to protect citizens, not to attack them, and promised that any officer found culpable would face strict sanctions.
MRA Calls for Immediate Suspension of DPO
Reacting to the police response from Lagos, MRA Communications Officer Mr. Idowu Adewale praised the swiftness of the reaction but warned against empty assurances that have characterized similar cases in the past.
To ensure the integrity of the process, the MRA is demanding the immediate suspension of Police Superintendent Jamilu Kabir, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) alleged to have led the assault.
“The continued stay of Police Superintendent Jamilu in office gives the unfortunate impression that whatever investigation may be going on is not a serious one and that he is being protected by the institution,” Adewale stated. “He can easily influence witnesses, tamper with evidence, or use his authority to obstruct the investigation.”
Ending the Culture of Impunity
The MRA emphasized that the safety of journalists is a cornerstone of democratic governance and called on the Nigeria Police Force at both Federal and State levels to move beyond rhetoric.
Key demands highlighted by the MRA include:
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Mandatory Training: Implementing human rights and constitutional duty workshops for all officers regarding the media.
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Operational Directives: Issuing clear guidelines on how police should engage with journalists in the field.
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Public Accountability: Making the findings of the Bauchi investigation public within a reasonable timeframe.
“Ensuring accountability in this case will send a strong signal that attacks on journalists will not be tolerated,” Adewale added. He noted that the organization would be monitoring the proceedings closely to ensure the standard practice of suspending officials under criminal investigation is upheld.
Read more about the brutal assault of Mr. Mohammed Adamu.
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