The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc(+), has frowned and condemned the assault on a journalist working with a private radio station, Albarka Radio, in the state, while pledging to probe the alleged involvement of the erring police officer(s) who allegedly brutalized the reporter.
According to a statement signed by SP Nafiu Habib, Bauchi PPRO, the CP said this on Monday when he met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, the general manager of Albarka Radio, and the relatives of the journalist in his office.
He further expressed dissatisfaction over the incident, emphasizing that police personnel were deployed to protect lives and property of all people in their areas of responsibility, not to get involved in attacks on civilians.
“I see this incident as an affront to Nigerian journalists, with whom we have built a mutual relationship over the years. We will investigate the matter, and appropriate sanctions and consequences will follow anyone found wanting.”
“We will ensure that police and journalists protect the human rights of every Nigerian. The PPRO briefed me about the incident earlier on today. A police officer is expected to exercise utmost restraint in the face of provocation. This definitely is a teaching moment for officers and men of the force.”
CP Sani-Omolori has since constituted an investigative-disciplinary team on the matter and assured of proper action according to the extant law.