NUJ Condemns Arrest of Journalists, Urges Kano Gov’t to Respect Press Freedom

By Mustapha Salisu

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the recent arrest of two journalists in Kano State, reportedly on the orders of the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya.

In a letter addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, criticized the detention of Buhari Abba, an online publisher, and Ismail Auwal, a freelance journalist, over a report deemed critical of the commissioner.

While the journalists have now been released, the union insists that their arrest was unjustified and an attack on press freedom.

“We were distressed to learn of the arrests of two journalists by the police in Kano State, ostensibly on the order of the Commissioner of Information Ibrahim Waiya,” the letter stated.

“We can assure Your Excellency that the two journalists in question did not contravene any law that they could be charged with except that they expressed an opinion that someone did not agree with.”

The NUJ called on Governor Yusuf to ensure that government officials respect journalists’ constitutional duty to hold authorities accountable.

The union reminded the governor of the cordial relationship between the media and his administration since he assumed office, urging him to protect journalists from intimidation and harassment.