Gov Bago’s Security Team Beats Up, Brutalises Journalist

A journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Minna, Musa Mikail, has recounted how he was attacked by members of the security team attached to Niger State Governor, Umar Muhammad Bago, during an event in Bida, Bida Local Government Area of Niger State.

Mikail in a social media post said the incident occurred while he was standing with his cameraman having a brief discussion when a Chief Security Officer (CSO) approached them and ordered them to move away from where they were positioned.

According to him, he explained to the officer that they were not blocking anyone’s view and that they were journalists carrying out their professional duties.

Explaining that another security personnel at the scene attempted to calm the situation and urged the officers to leave him alone because he was doing his job, Mikail described the moment the intervention happened.

“At that moment, another security personnel tried to calm the situation and even told them to leave me alone because I am a journalist doing my job.”

He said the situation escalated afterwards when the Chief Security Officer allegedly directed other security personnel to attack him and remove him from the event venue.

“But instead of de-escalating the situation, the CSO angrily ordered his men to attack me and forcefully throw me out of the event. Immediately, several of them descended on me and began to beat me mercilessly in full public view.”

Mikail further described how he said he was treated during the incident despite being present at the venue in his professional capacity.

“I was assaulted like a common criminal, like a petty thief caught in broad daylight in a marketplace, despite the fact that I was there performing my legitimate duty as a journalist.”

Brutalised Journalist, Musa Mikail
The journalist said the incident raised concerns about the safety of journalists covering public functions involving government officials and their security personnel.

“This shocking act of brutality against a member of the press raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists and the level of intolerance displayed by the security operatives attached to Umar Muhammad Bago.”

He also described the development as an attempt to intimidate members of the media.

“No journalist deserves to be humiliated, assaulted, and treated like a criminal simply for doing their job. This incident is a dangerous attack on press freedom and a clear attempt to intimidate members of the media.”

Mikail added that he reported the matter to the Nigeria Union of Journalists but said no major action had been taken.

“I have reported this to NUJ and no major action has been taken, only being asked to let it go. I may let it go but the council chairman might be the next victim.”

Meanwhile, Bago was previously listed in the “Book of Infamy” compiled by the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute over actions the organisation said undermined press freedom.

The media body said the listing followed the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM, a privately owned radio station in Niger State, after the governor ordered the station shut.

IPI Nigeria said the decision to include Bago in the register came after efforts to address the issue did not lead to the reopening of the station.

The organisation explained that the “Book of Infamy” was created to document cases involving actions by public officials or institutions considered to be threats to journalists or media organisations.

The register was unveiled during the organisation’s annual general meeting in Abuja, where it said the initiative was intended to draw attention to incidents affecting press freedom in the country.