Amnesty International has condemned the reported invasion of JKD TV Hamada Radio Network in Millennium City, Kaduna, by armed police officers and the subsequent arrest of the organisation’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security guard.
According to Amnesty International, the police raid was linked to efforts 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 Kaduna State Police Command had reportedly declared Yabagi wanted in connection with the matter. Her husband was also said to have been arrested.
Amnesty International described the arrests of the General Manager and security guard as arbitrary and condemned what it characterised as the use of armed police personnel to enter the media organisation.
The organisation said the incident was part of what it described as a broader pattern of actions intended to create fear within Nigerian newsrooms and make it more difficult for journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities.
Amnesty International further argued that independent media organisations should be allowed to scrutinise public officials and report on matters of public interest without intimidation or undue interference.
It maintained that public officials, regardless of their positions, remain subject to legitimate journalistic scrutiny and criticism in the public interest.
The organisation called attention to the broader implications of the incident for press freedom and the ability of journalists and media organisations to operate independently.
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Human Interest