By Isiyaka Ismail Wunti
A Department of State Services (DSS) officer attached to a visiting delegation of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission has allegedly assaulted and threatened journalists at Yankari Game Reserve who performing official duty.
The incident occurred during the official commissioning of a 500KVA solar power station, a project executed by the Bauchi State Government at the Yankari Game Reserve.
The affected journalists are Bashir Adamu of Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) and Isyaka Wunti of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), both reportedly wearing official identification during the incident.
According to accounts, the DSS officer who who is yet be identified by name allegedly slapped Bashir Adamu thrice publicly while he was performing his journalistic duties, before allegedly raising his firearm at the journalist.
In a separate incident, the same officer allegedly prevented Isyaka Wunti from performing his journalistic duties during the event, despite the journalist being identified as a member of the State government house press crew.
The journalists reportedly did not retaliate or engage the officer in any physical confrontation, but instead referred the matter to their respective leaderships for appropriate action immediately following the incident.
The incident has raised concerns over journalists’ safety at official functions, with calls for proper investigation and appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents and protect journalists carrying out their duties.
