One Hamidu Mukhtari, a suspected notorious political thug loyal to the PDP administration in Adamawa State, has battered Ibrahim Mista Ali, a practising journalist, inside the state Government House.
Mukhtari also known as ‘Dogo’ holds grudges against his victim for allegedly criticising his principal, Governor Ahamdu Umaru Fintiri.
Dogo sized Ali by the neck and slapped him. He was invited to cover a press conference at the office of Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Awwal Tukur.
Previously, Dogo had threatened the journalist twice for publishing what, in his opinion, appears to be unwanted material.
Narrating the incident, Ali said Dogo molested him by slapping and punching him in the neck.
He added that the incident occurred in the presence of Adamawa State Government House Security operatives.
“He slapped me, punched me twice and then dragged me by the neck in the presence of security personnel who then intervened and pleaded with him to release me. He had threatened to deal with me, for covering the opposition,” Ali said.
Daily Trust reports that Dogo has been on administrative bail since 2021. The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state charged him to court after uncovering 166kg of Cannabis Sativa in his residence.
The report further indicates that unofficial sources fingered Dogo for allegedly assaulting individuals perceived to be opposing Governor Fintiri. For instance, Dogo was alleged to be involved in the humiliation of a senior official of the Department of Security Service (DSS), Halilu Musa, as well as a senior INEC commissioner, Professor Zuru, in the violence that greeted the last governorship supplementary election in April this year.
Responding, Humwashi Wonosiko, Chief Press Secretary to the governor said it had nothing to do with the government. “It was a quarrel between two persons,” he added.
Data from Press Tracker reveals that between January and August, 74 verified attacks on journalists and media organisations were recorded in Nigeria. This is the highest figure recorded in the country since 1987.
