‘No Government Official is Above Scrutiny’ – Amnesty Condemns Police Raid on Kaduna Media House

Amnesty International has condemned the alleged invasion of the premises of JKD TV/Hamada Radio Network in Millennium City, Kaduna, by armed police officers, describing the incident as “unlawful and outrageous.”

In a statement published on its platform, the international human rights organisation said the alleged raid resulted in the arrest of the station’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security guard.

Amnesty International said the police told the station that they had instructions 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.

According to the organisation, the Kaduna State Police Command had previously declared Yabagi wanted, while her husband had also been arrested.

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The organisation described the alleged targeting of JKD TV/Hamada Radio Network as part of what it characterised as a wider pattern of attempts to create a climate of fear within Nigerian newsrooms and make it more difficult for journalists to carry out their duties.

“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives,” Amnesty International said.

The organisation stressed that public officials should remain subject to scrutiny and criticism in the public interest, regardless of their positions.

“No government official no matter his status is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public,” it said.

Amnesty International said any attack on the media constitutes an attack on freedom, while calling for the protection of journalists and independent media organisations from intimidation and arbitrary actions.

The organisation’s statement comes amid the reported detention of the JKD TV/Hamada Radio Network General Manager and a security guard following the alleged police operation at the station.