The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, has called on security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of journalists and allow them to carry out their professional duties without intimidation.
The union made the call in a statement signed by its Chairman, Malam Umar Saidu, and Secretary, Isha Garba, and issued on Tuesday in Bauchi.
The statement followed an alleged assault on a reporter at Yankari Game Reserve by an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The union alleged that the officer slapped Bashir Adamu, a reporter with the Bauchi Radio Corporation, three times during an official engagement at the reserve.
According to the NUJ, the incident occurred during the commissioning of a 500KVA solar power station at the game reserve.
“The officer was attached to a visiting delegation from the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC),” the union said.
The NUJ condemned the alleged action, describing the conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the rights of journalists to perform their duties.
It called for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegations are established.
“We will continue to protect our members from intimidation,” the union said.
The council also urged security agencies to respect journalists’ constitutional rights and ensure that media professionals can operate freely while covering official events and matters of public interest.
source: NAN
