Kaduna police DPO detains female journalist, parents over N100 dispute

Usman Adamu, the divisional police officer (DPO) of Mararaban Jos in Kaduna State, has detained a younger female journalist, Farida Isiak, and her parents, following a dispute between her mom and a neighbour over the sale of charcoal.

Ms Farida, a 23-year-old journalist with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna, was taken into custody round 10 p.m. on 20 October, household sources and neighbours who pleaded not be named for concern of retribution informed PREMIUM TIMES.

She was arrested hours after police had detained her parents to lure her to the police station.

The episode started on 19 October when the journalist’s mom, a enterprise proprietor, offered N400 value of charcoal to a younger woman despatched by their neighbour.

“The girl brought N500, but the Mama had no change,” mentioned a member of the family. “Then she asked the girl to go with the money and charcoal, instructing her to bring the money later.”

According to the household, the woman returned later with cash and was given a N100 stability.

“The following day, the neighbour returned to buy another N400 worth of charcoal. She paid N500 but demanded N200 in change, claiming she had not received her balance the previous day. Mama, however, explained that she had already given the girl the N100 change,” the household supply continued.

The disagreement escalated, with the neighbour allegedly insulting the journalist’s mom earlier than calling her sister, who got here from one other space.

Witnesses mentioned the 2 ladies later tried to pressure their method into the journalist’s mom’s home.

“They forced their way into her parlour, but the woman threatened to pour hot water on them, prompting them to flee,” a neighbour mentioned.

They subsequently returned with police officers, who arrested the journalist’s mom.

Journalist’s Facebook publish sparks police motion

Ms Farida learnt of her mom’s arrest whereas at work and took to Facebook to criticise the police over the incident, a member of the family mentioned.

READ ALSO: Uba Sani promises new home, medical care for rescued Kaduna family

Her father, who had travelled to Zaria, later contacted her, saying the police wished her to report back to the station and delete the publish.

“When the father returned, he went to the police station to secure his wife’s release but was also detained,” the household supply added, alleging that the police subsequently used her parents’ detention to get the journalist.

Upon arriving, the member of the family mentioned officers accused the journalist of defaming the police and demanded that she delete the Facebook publish and apologise to Mr Adamu, the DPO.

“She complied with the demands in the hope of resolving the matter and securing her parents’ release,” the member of the family continued.

Surprisingly, police detained the journalist regardless of deleting the publish and threatened to take authorized motion towards her.

She had since remained in custody and had not been launched as of press time.

Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for Kaduna police command despatched the contact of the DPO to PREMIUM TIMES for additional enquiry.

When contacted for remark, Mr Adamu reduce the decision, saying a journalist couldn’t communicate to him over the telephone.