There is uneasy calm in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital over alleged assault on a reporter with Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) by the Chief Security Officer(CSO) of Yobe Government House CSP Zakari Diba

The incident, which occurred on Thursday at the Assembly Complex during the 2026 budget presentation by Governor Mai Mala Buni, has attracted wide reactions and condemnations within and outside the media circles.

While many have demanded for the immediate disciplinary action against the police officer including removal from his current posting as the Government House CSO, some have demanded a written apology and a truce in the impasse.

Yobe Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Yobe State in a letter dated 7th November, 2025 by the Chairman Rajab Ismail Mohammed and the Secretary Alhassan Malmudo demanded the suspension of the erring CSO, thorough investigation, possible prosecution if found guilty and adequate compensation of the victim.

Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani, Yobe State Focal Person on Cyber and Information Technology in a direct letter to Gov. Buni called for the removal of CSP Zakari Diba from the Government House.

He added that the action of the officer if not nibbling from the bud will jeopardize the relationship of the Governor with the press.

The NTA chapel of Damaturu has also called for immediate and swift action against the CSO.

The Nation reports that it took the intervention of the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego and Police Commissioner to pacify the outraged journalists who almost boycotted the Governor’s budget presentation.

But CSO Diba apologised for the development.

In an exclusive chat with The Nation, he said he was sorry over the incident, adding that his Commissioner has also apologised for what happened.

According to Diba, his years as a senior police office have equipped him enough to respect and hold journalists in high esteem.

He explained a miscommunication triggered the action but called on the journalists to move past the incident which he described as unfortunate.

“I cannot deliberately molest a journalist. I didn’t even know this guy was a journalist when i was trying to control the crowd.

“Journalists are my friends and I cannot set out to hurt any one of them. What happened is unfortunate. I cannot mention the details but we should move past this incident. I have apologised to what happened and my CP has also done so,” CSP Diba said.. (THE NATION)