A Niger State-based journalist, Mustapha Bina, was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) after reporting on an alleged bandit attack on the motorcade of Governor Umaru Bago. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the governor and his team were returning from the Egede community in Zone C after assessing projects executed under his administration.
According to the report, the attackers opened fire, prompting a swift response from the governor’s security team. Several bandits were reportedly neutralized, while others fled into the bush. Some vehicles in the convoy, including a Hilux and a bulletproof vehicle, were damaged.
Bina’s report was aired on Prestige FM, a Minna-based radio station, after which he was invited to the SSS office for questioning. The journalist was detained for hours before being granted bail, reportedly due to the intervention of the state NUJ chairman and other stakeholders.
The governor’s office has denied the incident, with the chief press secretary and state commissioner for Information issuing a statement to debunk the report. However, sources close to the matter claim that the governor felt embarrassed and upset that the attack was leaked to the media.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, where reporting on sensitive topics can lead to detention and harassment. The Media Foundation for West Africa has condemned such attacks, emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the need for journalists to be able to report without fear of retribution.
