Katsina based journalist goes into hiding over threat to life as IGP transfers command spokesman, 14 others for assaulting her

The Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the transfer of the public relations officer of Katsina command, Gambo Isah over allegations of assaulting a female journalist, Rukayyah Jibia with AMASIS Broadcasting Limited, owners of Tambarin Hausa Television, THT.

Isah, a chief superintendent of police, was  transferred to Zone 14 police headquarters in the same state alongside 14 other officers.

Jibia who is currently in hiding for fear of her life had raised an alarm over alleged threats to her life by the police after posting a video on TikTok, faulting the Katsina State Command for parading suspects before trial.

In the video, she had said that parading suspects is capable of ruining their reputation, especially when they are found not guilty and discharged and acquitted by the court.

She therfefore urged the police to always allow the court to convict or sentence suspects before parading them to the press.

But her suggestions didn’t sit well with the police, who accused her of undermining their authority and causing them disrepute.

“The next day after posting the video, I received a call from the Katsina State Police Command public relations officer, Gambo Isah, asking me to report to the palace of Alhaji Abdulmumin, the emir of Katsina’s palace.

Isah

“I was on my way to the emir’s palace, when the police blocked my way and stopped my vehicle. I didn’t know they were on my trail.

“They came with about four vehicles and one Hilux. There were about 21 policemen. So when the incident happened, I was on the phone with my colleague, Jamil, and I explained the situation to him.

“I told him if I go missing, the police should be held responsible, but they forcefully grabbed and twisted my hands to collect the phone and smashed it on the ground. In the process, I sustained a minor injury.

“I was subsequently taken to the emir’s palace. Upon arrival, the emir asked if I was an activist, and I said no, I’m a journalist. And he said he doesn’t care. That he is trying to rid the town of miscreants and I was sabotaging his effort by encouraging immorality.

“He told me if I die in that process, I will go to hellfire. He asked that I be arraigned before a Khadi [Sharia court judge] until he was ready to see me,” she said.

Speaking on how she escaped, Jibia said, “I was arraigned before Sharia Court 3 on May 23, but fortunately the Khadi was not on seat because the court had closed before we arrived.

“So I was taken to the area commander, Metro. I later secured my bail after spending five hours.

“The next day I went back to write a statement, and I was asked to come back the following day.

“I went there around 11:00 a.m hoping that I would be charged to court. But unfortunately, the area commander told me I would be taken to the police headquarters instead. And my lawyer wasn’t there at the time, and I was so scared due to the assault Gambo Isah and his boys meted out on me earlier.

“So I requested the Area Commander to allow me get some stuff and I will be back, and that’s how I ran for my life. I’m currently hiding because my life is in danger,” she said.

But in a statement via his Twitter handle, the police public relations officer, Gambo Isah, denied the allegations.

He accused the journalist of clout chasing, noting that she had always maligned the reputation of the police.

“Recently, the KTS Metro was faced with incessant attacks by Kauraye, phone snatchers, and other crimes.

“The command swung into action and raided criminal hideouts, including brothels, which led to the arrest of 72 suspected persons. Four young women suspected to be sex workers were among those arrested and paraded before the press.

“Ruqayya did not appreciate the efforts Of the NPF in nipping in the bud, the crimes disturbing the community but took to her usual TikTok and continued to rant on the police for arresting and parading the women.

“Subsequently, at a security meeting, I reported her conduct to our traditional father, the Emir. And in Katsina, and the north in general, we uphold traditional values and institutions above every other one. His Royal Highness, directed that she be invited, but Ruqayya refused the police invitation, dragged with police officers who exercised restraint despite abuse and videos,” he said.

While insisting that her life was not under threat as alleged, Isah noted that she was granted bail to a reliable surety in the presence of her lawyer.

But in shocking twist, the boadcasting house Jibia works with, issued a statement disowning her.

“Any media organization, security agency, individual and corporate organization that engage her in whatever dealing does so at its own risk,” the media house stated in a statement while denying that she is their staff.

Countering them, Jibia posted on social media, her identity card and appointment letter, dated October 1, 2021 and signed by the founder/CEO of the broadcasting house, Ibrahim Makama.

Source: TheStreetJournal | Read More