DSS APOLOGISES TO NUJ SOKOTO OVER ASSAULT ON JOURNALIST, PROMISES SANCTIONS AGAINST PERSONNEL
DSS APOLOGISES TO NUJ SOKOTO OVER ASSAULT ON JOURNALIST, PROMISES SANCTIONS AGAINST PERSONNEL
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Department of State Services (DSS), Sokoto State Office, has tendered an apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, over the recent incident involving a journalist in Sokoto.
This was contained in a press statement signed and issued by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji.
According to the statement, 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, who visited the NUJ leadership to express regret over the incident, which involved the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Nasir Bello.
During the visit, the delegation stressed that it was never the intention or directive of the Service to humiliate, intimidate or harass any journalist carrying out legitimate professional duties.
The DSS representatives assured the Council that such an incident would not recur and disclosed that appropriate administrative sanctions would be taken against the personnel involved.
They also acknowledged the cordial working relationship between the Service and the media, expressing their commitment to strengthening and sustaining the existing relationship.
The NUJ Sokoto State Council said it appreciates the apology and assurances offered by the DSS, and considers them an important step towards addressing the incident and preventing a recurrence.
The Council reiterated its commitment to promoting responsible journalism and maintaining a professional relationship with security agencies and other stakeholders.
However, it emphasised that the safety, dignity and freedom of journalists must be respected at all times, particularly in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
