Niger NUJ Condemns Commissioner’s Assault on Journalist in Minna

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger State Chapter, has condemned in the strongest terms last weekend’s attack on the Voice of America’s correspondent in Minna, Mr. Mustapha Nasiru Basari, by the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Mr. Bello Mohammed Abdullahi.

Abdullahi was said to have attacked and assaulted Basari when he approached him for the confirmation of the story on the crisis at Beji Market last Wednesday.

The incident reportedly took place at the Government House after the correspondent made unsuccessful attempts to speak to the commissioner on the phone.

Basari had narrated that it took the intervention of people around to rescue him from the commissioner who “threatened his live” and tried to confiscate his recording gadget despite not recording their conversation.

The State Chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Abu Nmadu, condemned the commissioner for “attacking and assaulting” the journalist “who is carrying out his lawful mandate to the society.”

 Nmadu described the attack “as most unfortunate, shocking and unacceptable,” warning that the “union will not tolerate attack and assault of any kind on its members in the state.”

He, therefore, asked the commissioner to tender unreserved apology to both the affected journalists and the NUJ, adding that political office holders in the state should stop treating journalists as their errand boys.

Also, the chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Mr. Yakubu Mustapha Bina, said that the chapel would no longer accept such harassment, threat, intimidation and arrogance from public office holders in the state.

He also called on the commissioner to tender public apologies to the chapel and the NUJ as a whole.