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.
