News Investigators/ The Department of State Services (DSS), Sokoto State Command, has apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, over the recent assault on a journalist in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Council, Usman Mohammed-Binji.
According to him, the apology was conveyed by a high-level delegation comprising three Deputy Directors of the Service and the Chief Detail of the Sokoto State Government House during a visit to the NUJ leadership.
He said the delegation expressed regret over the incident, emphasising that it was neither the intention nor directive of the service to humiliate, intimidate or harass any journalist performing legitimate professional duties.
Mr Mohammed-Binji added that the DSS representatives assured the council that such an incident would not recur again, promising that appropriate administrative sanctions would be imposed on the personnel involved.
He said the delegation also acknowledged the cordial working relationship between the service and the media, while expressing commitment to strengthening and sustaining the relationship.
In its response, the council appreciated the service for tendering apology and assurances, describing them as important steps towards addressing the incident and preventing a recurrence.
The council, however, reiterated the need for the safety, dignity and freedom of journalists to be respected at all times, particularly in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible journalism and maintaining professional relationships with security agencies and other stakeholders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DSS personnel attached to the Sokoto State Government House physically assaulted its correspondent, Muhammad Nasir-Bello, on Tuesday while he was covering a solidarity rally organised in support of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the council decried the assault, saying the correspondent’s clothes were torn, his mobile phone damaged, while he sustained injuries to his legs, hands and other parts of his body.
NAN