Mohammed Adamu, a journalist with Albarka Radio, was allegedly assaulted by police officers while covering the Eid Durbar celebration in Bununu, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The incident, which occurred on a Saturday, saw Mr. Adamu, along with other journalists and an information officer, stopped by a police officer while attempting to reach the designated media area. According to Mr. Adamu, the situation escalated when he identified himself as a reporter, leading to verbal insults and physical assault, including being beaten with sticks. He further alleged that other officers, some of whom he knew, joined in the attack, and he later received treatment at a hospital.

Mr. Adamu specifically identified Jamilu Kabir, the divisional police officer (DPO) in the area, as leading the assault and preventing him from performing his duties. The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) corroborated this, noting that DPO Kabir allegedly ordered officers to assault the journalist, and that about 10 officers participated, leaving Mr. Adamu with a serious head injury. CJID also criticized the alleged abandonment of the victim at the hospital by police, forcing him to personally settle his medical bills.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various media organizations and rights groups across Nigeria. The Bauchi State Police Command, through spokesperson Nafi’u Habib and later Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu, confirmed awareness of the incident and pledged an investigation. Commissioner Aliyu condemned the incident and met with journalists and victim representatives, forming an investigative and disciplinary team, and acknowledging that police personnel are deployed to protect citizens, not attack them.

However, media rights groups have called for more than just verbal assurances. The CJID, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Journalism Programme, Busola Ajibola, described the attack as a “targeted brutalisation” and a “barbaric reminder of an era of impunity.” She urged authorities to ensure accountability and demanded the immediate suspension of DPO Kabir and other involved officers, arguing that their continued presence could interfere with the investigation. CJID also called for the police to take responsibility for the journalist’s medical expenses and issue a public apology.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) welcomed the police investigation but insisted on transparency and concrete sanctions. Idowu Adewale, MRA’s Communications Officer, warned that past assurances often did not translate into accountability. MRA also demanded the suspension of DPO Jamilu Kabir to preserve the investigation's integrity and called for broader police reforms, including training officers on journalists’ rights, issuing clear operational guidelines on media engagement, and enforcing disciplinary measures for violations.

The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), through its Secretary Isah Garba Gadau, strongly condemned the brutality as a “gross violation of human rights” and a “direct attack on press freedom.” The NUJ demanded immediate investigation, sanction of all involved officers, and for the Bauchi State Police Command to bear full responsibility for Mr. Adamu's medical expenses, warning of an emergency Congress meeting if demands are not met. The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, also condemned the “unwarranted brutality,” with its Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, stating that such acts are dangerous to democracy and a major threat to press freedom, calling for compensation for Mr. Adamu and improved police training.

The assault on Mohammed Adamu highlights a growing concern over attacks on journalists nationwide, reflecting a “broader pattern” of abuses. A 2025 report by MRA documented 86 attacks on press freedom in Nigeria, with none prosecuted, attributing nearly 48% of these to law enforcement, particularly the police. Such incidents, where security agencies become primary violators of the law, threaten accountability, erode public trust, and contribute to Nigeria's declining press freedom record. WikkiTimes Media Foundation has announced plans to initiate legal action against the police and the officers involved.