NUJ Demands Justice For Journalist As Kaduna Police Clarify Case

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has demanded justice and a good listening to for Farida Isiak, a journalist with Nagarta Radio, Kaduna, following her reported arrest, detention and sentencing over a Facebook submit criticising the Police.

The demand comes because the Kaduna State Police Command defended its dealing with of the case, saying the Commissioner of Police had intervened to facilitate an amicable decision.

In a press release signed by its National President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, on Thursday, the NUJ mentioned Isiak, 23, had been launched on bail, whereas a retrial had been scheduled for November 3, 2026.

According to the union, the incident started with a dispute over ₦100 change from a charcoal sale involving Isiak’s mom and a neighbour. Her mom was reportedly arrested, whereas her father was additionally detained after going to safe her bail.

The NUJ mentioned Isiak subsequently offered herself on the police station and was accused of defaming the police in a Facebook submit in regards to the remedy of her dad and mom.

It added that she reportedly deleted the submit and apologised however was later sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment or a positive of ₦1.75 million for defamation by a court docket in Kawo.

The NUJ additionally urged the related judicial authorities to look at the jurisdiction of the court docket, the equity of the preliminary proceedings and the authorized foundation for the reported sentence.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command mentioned the case arose from a Facebook submit containing remarks directed on the Nigeria Police Force, the officer involved and his household.

In a separate assertion, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, mentioned the incident adopted a disagreement between the events after a request made by the journalist.

The command urged media organisations to confirm allegations and search responses from related events earlier than publication, warning that unverified reviews might current a deceptive account of occasions.

It mentioned the Commissioner of Police had personally intervened to facilitate an amicable decision, citing the necessity to keep cordial relations between the police and the media.