By Confidence Obiahu
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, to stop the alleged harassment of JKD Radio/Television journalist, Zainab Salihu Yabagi, over a video involving Ibrahim Masari, a Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
HURIWA made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Monday.
The group said armed policemen reportedly stormed the Millennium City, Kaduna studios of JKD Radio/Television on September 11, 2026, while searching for Yabagi.
According to HURIWA, the police initially said they were looking for the journalist over an alleged stolen phone. It, however, said the matter was later linked to a video explainer concerning Masari.
HURIWA said the station’s General Manager, Charles Abah, and a security officer were arrested during the operation and detained for more than seven hours.
The group added that Yabagi was later declared wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy, defamation, cyberstalking and bullying allegedly connected to Masari.
HURIWA urged the police to stop further harassment of the journalist and other staff of the media organisation.
It said, “If the Special Adviser believes that the broadcast defamed him, the appropriate response is to approach a competent court and seek redress, not to deploy the coercive machinery of the state against a journalist.”
The group also warned against using the Cybercrime Prohibition Act to intimidate journalists over their professional activities.
HURIWA noted that Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution gives the media the responsibility of holding government accountable, stressing that journalists should be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of arrest or intimidation.
It, however, said journalists were not above the law and that where there was evidence of a criminal offence, due process should be followed.
HURIWA further called on the IGP to review the circumstances surrounding the Kaduna operation and ensure that police powers were not used to settle disputes over alleged defamation.
The group also urged the Federal Government to protect journalists and media organisations from arbitrary arrests and intimidation, warning that such actions could affect press freedom and democratic accountability.
HURIWA demanded an end to the alleged harassment of Yabagi and JKD Radio/Television, saying anyone who feels defamed should seek redress through the courts.
