06/11/2025
NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (NTA) DAMATURU CHAPEL
PRESS RELEASE
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) NTA Damaturu Chapel is appalled and outraged by the brutal assault on our esteemed member, Baba Gana Kolo, correspondent covering the Yobe House of Assembly for NTA Damaturu. On 6/11/2025, Kolo was viciously attacked by Yakubu Zakari Deba, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Yobe State Government House, while performing his journalistic duties at the Yobe State House of Assembly.
This egregious act of violence is a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence the press, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. The actions of CSO Deba are a throwback to a bygone era of brutality and disregard for human rights and have no place in a democratic society.
We demand that the Yobe State Police Command take immediate and decisive action against CSO Deba, including his arrest and prosecution. We also demand that the Yobe State Government takes concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists and provides an enabling environment for them to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.
Furthermore, we call on the management of NTA Damaturu to provide all necessary support to Kolo, including medical attention and protection, to enable him to continue his work without fear or hindrance.
The NUJ NTA Damaturu Chapel is committed to defending the rights of journalists and ensuring that those who seek to undermine press freedom are brought to justice. We will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary steps to ensure that justice is served.
Cc:
- Commissioner of Police, Yobe State
- Director, DSS, Yobe State
- Commissioner of Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Yobe State
- Chairman, NUJ, Yobe State
National President, NUJ, Abuja
Signed:
Aliyu Mohammed Babi
Chairman, NUJ, NTA Damaturu Chapel
