The Security Division of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, on Saturday prevented journalists from covering the institution’s 45th convocation ceremony.
Correspondents from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Nagarta Radio, NTA Zaria, and other media organisations were denied access to Mamman Kontagora Square, the venue of the event.
A university security officer, identified as C.K., said the action was based on a directive from the Chief Security Officer, Ashiru Zango.
He explained that only journalists who had obtained clearance from the Vice-Chancellor were allowed into the venue, despite the affected reporters presenting valid staff identity cards and university issued accreditation tags.
The journalists protested the decision, insisting that they were duly accredited to cover the convocation.
Following the development, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) intervened and attempted to reach the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar. Mr Umar assured the NUJ that he would step in to resolve the issue and ensure that journalists were granted access.
However, as of the time of filing this report, some journalists had left the convocation venue in anger to protest the restriction.
