, Kano State Council, has condemned the reported attack on journalists covering the All Progressives){kind=link}
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has condemned the reported attack on journalists covering the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, demanding an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
The incident occurred on Saturday during the political gathering, where suspected thugs allegedly confronted journalists performing their professional duties and attacked a Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano vehicle.
According to the NUJ, the vehicle was repeatedly struck with machetes and knives despite the reported presence of security personnel inside, raising fresh concerns about the safety of media workers covering political events.
In a statement jointly signed by the NUJ Kano Chairman, Comrade Suleiman Abdullahi Dederi, and Secretary, Comrade Hauwa Suleiman Zahradeen, the council described the attack as unacceptable and a dangerous development for press freedom.
The union said journalists attending political rallies are not participants in partisan activities but professionals assigned to inform the public and provide balanced coverage of events.
It stressed that media practitioners must be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without fear of assault, intimidation or harassment.
The council expressed concern that the incident occurred as political activities are beginning to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that unchecked attacks could create an unsafe environment for journalists across the state.
The NUJ called on security agencies to establish exactly what happened at the rally, identify those responsible and bring the suspects to justice if found culpable.
It also urged political parties, their supporters and other organisers of public gatherings to take concrete measures to protect journalists and ensure that media personnel are given the necessary space to work.
The council sympathised with the management and staff of Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano, over the damage to its vehicle and expressed solidarity with the journalists and other occupants who experienced the incident.
While commending security agencies for their efforts in maintaining order during public events, the union insisted that maintaining peace must also include protecting journalists who attend such gatherings in the line of duty.
The NUJ warned that allowing attacks on journalists to pass without accountability could embolden perpetrators and expose media professionals to even greater risks as the political season gathers momentum.
The Kano State Council reaffirmed its commitment to defending journalists and promoting a safe working environment for media practitioners.
It said it would continue to engage security authorities, political parties and other stakeholders to ensure that journalists can cover political activities without intimidation.
The council’s message was unequivocal: political rallies must never become danger zones for journalists. As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections, the NUJ said protecting media workers is not merely a professional obligation but a necessary condition for credible public discourse and a functioning democracy.
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