Police wrongly declare radio presenter wanted - Amnesty International

Amnesty International has called out the police for unlawfully raiding JKD TV and Hamada Radio Network in Millennium City, Kaduna.

The rights group said the police arbitrarily arrested the station’s manager, Charles Abah, and a security guard during the operation.

The police stated they had orders to arrest journalist Zainab Yabagi over a video made by JKD Radio and Television about Ibrahim Masari, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Police Command had declared Ms Yabagi wanted. She works at JKD Media, a company owned by Yusuf Mamman, a former Nigerian diplomat and presidential media aide.

“The Government of Nigeria is increasingly making it hard for the media to report on public issues without fear of consequences. Attacking JKD Radio/Television is part of a broader effort to create fear in newsrooms across Nigeria,” Amnesty International said.

They added, “The aim of targeting independent media is to deny people the chance to get fair and accurate news about issues that affect their lives. No government official, regardless of their position, is above criticism and scrutiny when it comes to the public interest. An attack on the media is an attack on freedom.”

Besides declaring journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi wanted on the orders of Mr Ibrahim Masari, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, the police are still unlawfully holding JKD Radio/Television’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security guard, the group said.

In the short video, Ms Yabagi raised questions about Mr Masari’s spending, comparing the source of his money to that of the terrorist, Bello Turji.

“Who is Ibrahim Kabiru Masari?” she asked.

“There are three things linked to a lavish lifestyle. First, when you see someone spending money wildly, check: the money isn’t theirs, and it’s not from their hard work.

“Second is mockery, because mockery goes hand in hand with ignorance. Third is showing disrespect to the people you have made poor.

“The question is: who is Ibrahim Masari? In Nigeria, how many people can give away ₦300 million? Can you count Ibrahim Masari among them?

“If someone wants to sell their product, no matter how good it is, they must be careful, people won’t value it if the seller is shady.

“Our people are having a tough time. For this reason, it is sad to see someone dancing lavishly on dirty money (Haram money). What is the difference between his wealth and Bello Turji’s?

“Let us meet in the comment section,” Ms Yabagi concluded in the video.