From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it termed the connivance of politicians and security agencies in the state to harass and intimidate journalists.
The NUJ noted that this unholy alliance manifests through various forms of threats and harassment of journalists.
“The union is particularly worried over the recent arrest and detention of the publisher of WikkiTimes, Haruna Mohammed and his reporter Kamal Idris based on a petition by a member of the National Assembly from the state, Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi,” a statement by the council Chairman, Umar Said, and the Secretary, Isa Gadau respectively, made available to Daily Sun on Wednesday, disclosed.
“The union wishes to reiterate its determination to ensure that Journalists in the State work according to best practices and by adhering strictly to the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists.
“However, the Union will not tolerate a situation where politicians who have issues to hide use security operatives to perpetrate acts of impunity against Journalists.
“It is in this respect that we condemn in the strongest of terms the arrest and detention of the two Journalists in question because of their professional work.
“The union is willing at all times to engage aggrieved individuals or groups in dialogue to resolve any perceived acts of professional breaches by members of the Union in a manner that will be acceptable to both parties.
“We, therefore, call for the immediate and unconditional release of the two journalists to enable them to continue their professional work without let or hindrance,” the statement read.