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Kaduna Police Torture: Journalist Idibia Targeted, Key Witness Reveals
By our correspondent
Mr Idibia Gabriel, a journalist working for Daily Times Newspapers in Kaduna state, was recently subjected to arrest and torture by Nigerian police operatives.
The incident occurred on June 11th, 2024, when Mr Idibia was capturing photographs of a large herd of cattle being escorted by uniformed police officers along Kachia major road at U/Boro, in Sabon Tasha area of the state.
Although he was later released, the ordeal left him with physical and psychological trauma.
In a recent telephone interview with Comrade Kevin Sunday Umaru, a key witness and victim of the police arrest, he confirmed that Journalist Idibia was subjected to severe physical and mental abuse for no apparent reason. Mr. Umaru, who was also arrested by the police on the same day but from a different location, corroborated the claim that the police intended to harm Mr. Idibia, as he witnessed an officer delivering a heavy blow to the journalist.
During the interview, Mr. Idibia expressed his dismay, stating that he had done nothing to provoke the police officers. He emphasized that he had merely greeted them and introduced himself as a journalist before taking pictures of the cattle. He firmly asserted his innocence and condemned the unwarranted torture he endured.
Responding to the police’s denial of torturing Mr. Idibia, Mr. Umaru vehemently refuted their claims, stating that several witnesses, including himself, observed the officer delivering the blow. He identified specific officers involved in the incident and expressed his disbelief at their actions.
When asked about his response to the clarification sought by his union body and leaders, Mr. Umaru responded confidently, stating that he was present during the incident and was not subjected to physical harm. He expressed his willingness to pursue the matter further, as he believed that both he and Mr. Idibia were wrongfully arrested.
Following his arrest, Mr. Idibia was taken to the police CID at Kaduna state Branch, where he collapsed due to the torture and the impact on his left cheek. He has since been seeking medical treatment for his injuries, with support from organizations such as the Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) and the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID).
Despite the witness testimony and condemnation from various journalist protection bodies, the Nigerian police have yet to issue an apology or acknowledge the unlawful assault on Mr. Idibia. The journalist continues to battle with his injuries and seek justice for the incident.
MTN Group says it suffered a cybersecurity incident that led to unauthorised access to the personal data of some customers in selected markets.
In a statement on Thursday, the telecoms giant assured stakeholders that its core infrastructure — including its network, billing systems, and financial services platforms — remains secure and fully operational.
The company said an unknown third party claimed responsibility for accessing parts of its system, but added that there was currently no indication that customers’ accounts or mobile money wallets were compromised.
“At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised,” MTN said.
MTN said it immediately activated its cybersecurity response procedures, including informing the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.
The group said it had also notified the relevant authorities in the affected countries and would continue to work closely with them and law enforcement to support ongoing investigations.
In line with regulatory obligations, the network provider said it had begun notifying affected customers.
The telecoms company urged users to remain vigilant and observe standard security practices, including setting strong passwords, avoiding suspicious messages, and enabling multifactor authentication where available.
“The privacy of information is our top priority, and MTN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders,” it said.
“To mitigate any fraudulent consequences, a fraud alert can be placed on an individual’s credit report at any of the major credit bureaus.
“Keep MTN, MoMo and banking apps and devices updated.
“Use strong, unique passwords for accounts and change them regularly.
“Be cautious of unexpected messages and do not click on suspicious links.
“Do not disclose information such as passwords, PINs and OTP when asked to do so by phone, text message or email.
“Where multifactor authentication is available, it should be activated.”
MTN added that it would continue to contain and manage the situation “carefully” while keeping stakeholders updated.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement released on X on Friday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, said it is important to state clearly that “freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights — not privileges”.
“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” he wrote.
“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”
On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, is set to join the ruling party soon.
Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.
In recent weeks, the PDP has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.
Abubakar said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.
“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path,” he said.
“Politics will always involve shifting alliances — we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future.”
Abubakar also addressed criticism that trailed his recent visit to former president Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.
Earlier this month, the ex-VP led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.
The former vice-president said his visit was delayed due to his obligations in Adamawa, where he had taken part in Sallah celebrations.
Days after the visit, the move drew widespread criticism, particularly from within the PDP, with many labeling it as unacceptable and a show of anti-party activity.
However, Abubakar dismissed the outrage as hypocritical, citing past instances when opposition leaders consulted former presidents without backlash.
“It is not a sin to visit Buhari,” he said.
“During the 2013 opposition merger talks, key political figures made visits to Obasanjo and Babangida — so why is it now sacrilegious to visit Buhari?”
Abubakar questioned why some PDP leaders are applauded for meeting President Bola Tinubu, yet his own engagements are labelled suspicious.
“When PDP leaders drink tea with Tinubu and cut power-sharing deals, it is called ‘strategy,” he said.
“But when I greet Peter Obi, meet Nasir el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national scandal.”
He also described the reactions as driven by double standards, warning that Nigeria’s politics is becoming riddled with “selective outrage”.
Abubakar said the real issue before Nigerians is not about political parties anymore, but about the failure of the current administration.
“This is no longer APC vs PDP or Labour Party vs APC,” he said.
“It is Nigerians vs a regime that has plunged the nation into misery.”
He blamed the Tinubu administration for a collapsing economy, surging inflation, growing joblessness and increasing youth agitation.
“Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry,” he said.
Abubakar called for unity against what he described as a government bereft of vision and performance.
He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic, religious or regional distractions, noting that such tactics are meant to divide and confuse the populace.
“The Tinubu government has nothing to show — no policy wins, no achievements,” he said.
“All it has is confusion and division. That’s the only thing incompetence knows how to offer.”
Abubakar warned that mismanagement at the top poses grave danger to all Nigerians, regardless of background or party affiliation.
“An incompetent captain doesn’t just sink his ship; he puts everyone on board at risk,” he added.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday has ordered the remand of hip hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, also known as Terry Apala, for a charge of naira abuse.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered his remand in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, till May 5, 2025, when his bail application would be heard and determined.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Ejeh before the court on a one-count charge of abuse of the naira by matching on it whilst dancing during a social event at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.
Counsel to the EFCC, Sulaimon Sulaiman, then asked the court to allow the charge to be read to the defendant so he could take his plea.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, after which Sulaimon asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre.
Counsel to the defendant, Felix Nwakbudu, however, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on behalf of his client.
Nwakbudu stated that the prosecution had been served with a copy of the bail summons this morning, and he pleaded with the court to allow him to move the application.
The prosecutor opposed the hearing of the bail application on the grounds that he would need time to study the application and make an appropriate response.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the trial, before adjourning the matter till May 5th, for trial.
The charge against the defendant reads: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with Naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by matching on it and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”