A private radio station in Kano, Premier Radio has condemned a brutal attack on its staff, Muhammad Bello Dabai in front of the Station while carrying out his lawful duties on Monday by a detachment of Nigerian Police.
This is contained in a statement by the station’s Manager, News & Reports, Mukhtar Yahaya Usman and issued to newsmen on Tuesday.
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The unfortunate incident allegedly happened around 3.30pm when the attention of Dabai was called to witness an escaping thief that was being pursued by residents as he was trying to escape from Nassarawa Hospital in Kano metropolis where the Police had taken him for treatment.
‘’As the members of the public were in pursuit and pelting him with pebbles, the alleged thief fell in front of our Station. Our staff, including Muhammad Bello Dabai were at the scene as witnesses before the Police Officer on duty in our station called the Area Command for Police intervention,’’ the statement said.
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According to the statement, ‘’When the Policemen arrived to take away the suspect, Mr Dabai was snapping the incident as a journalist for his news beat. Surprisingly, without any provocation one of the police officers confronted him to stop him, and a fracas ensued.
“Even after Mr Dabai showed him his ID Card, and identified himself as a journalist, he was manhandled by the policeman, who pushed him into their service vehicle, insisting that they would take him to the Police Station for interrogation and detention.
“Mr Dabai was beaten and slapped severally on their way to the office, where he was also forced to lie down in the vehicle and dehumanized.
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‘’When Premier Radio immediately reported the matter to the Area Commander of the Metro Police Command to secure the release of Mr Dabai, the Area commander rebuked his officers for their high-handedness. The recalcitrant police officers were however non-repentant and unapologetic.
‘’Accordingly, we hereby demand a verifiable action on these unrepentant and brutal officers, including an unconditional apology without which we reserve the right to seek legal redress.’’
