No less than 2 journalists have been detained in Gombe State adhering to the planned demolition of the project office of Gombe governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Muhammad Barde.
The reporters, namely; Chika Udenkwo of Africa Independent Television, and Joseph Atabo, while trying to film the charged location adjacent to the governmental lodge.
READ ALSO: NNPC: Illegal Gas pipelines are connected to Churches, Mosques
Our correspondent reports that Udenkwo was beaten by angry youths thought to be ‘Kalare’ ruffians before his identity was revealed by several of his associates at the scene.
The Kalare goons were spotted displaying harmful tools around Liberty Junction, while heavily armed Special Weapon Armed Tactics policemans seen cordoning off the two locations from the Government House and into the Government Reserved Area.
Earlier, officials of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority had welcomed reporters for a briefing at regarding 10:30 am, the very same time established for them to embark on the demolition of some frameworks within the Gombe city specifically that of Barde, which had ended up being topic of lawsuits.
The officials on the demolition workout were driven away by an additional collection of police team, purportedly 6 Special Protection Unit supplied by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, upon demand of the PDP prospect.
When contacted about the arrest of reporters, the Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, said he was aware, including that he would certainly change shortly.
As of the moment of filing this report, males of the GOSUPDA were yet to succeed with the demolition as the SPU officials protecting Barde’s property presumably threatened to shoot at them if they proceeded, complying with the tear gas discharged by the SWAT officers.
Talking, a homeowner, Abdullahi Hussaini, advised politicians to tow the path of tranquility, worrying that physical violence would certainly not augur well for anyone.
He said, “Politicians should concern the table and comprehend where the gap is coming from. National politics is not a do or die affair. I want to get in touch with youths to remain off political thuggery and allow tranquility reign they should be engaged where necessary.”
