By Damilola Abiola
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Thursday welcomed a pledge by the Bauchi State Police Commissioner to investigate an alleged assault on a radio journalist, but called for concrete measures to prevent recurring attacks on media professionals.
Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu had on March 23 condemned the assault on Albarka Radio journalist Mohammed Adamu by officers under his command and promised to sanction anyone found culpable.
Police spokesperson Nafiu Habib said the commissioner met with leaders of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state, the management of Albarka Radio and the journalists’ relatives, where he denounced the incident and ordered an investigation.
Responding in a statement, MRA said the commissioner’s reaction and decision to set up an investigative and disciplinary team were positive steps toward accountability.
“We are particularly encouraged by the Commissioner’s acknowledgement that police personnel are deployed to protect citizens and not to engage in attacks on civilians,” said MRA communications officer Idowu Adewale.
However, the group warned that similar assurances in the past had not stopped harassment, assault and intimidation of journalists by security agencies across Nigeria.
MRA urged the Bauchi State Police Command to ensure a transparent investigation, identify all officers involved and impose appropriate sanctions in line with the law.
It also called for the suspension of Jamilu Kabir, a divisional police officer alleged to have led the assault, saying his continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of the probe.
“The continued stay of Police Superintendent Jamilu in office gives the impression that whatever investigation may be going on is not a serious one,” Adewale said, adding that it could affect public confidence.
The group further urged the Nigeria Police Force at federal and state levels to introduce stronger safeguards, including training officers on journalists’ rights, clearer engagement protocols with the media, and stricter disciplinary measures for violations.
MRA said it would continue to monitor the case and expects the findings of the investigation to be made public, stressing that protecting journalists is critical to safeguarding freedom of expression and democratic governance.