By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Journalist Idibia Gabriel has shared a gripping personal account of his experience inside the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) Kaduna Centre, formerly known as Kaduna Convict Prison, marking the second anniversary of his incarceration.
According to Idibia, his ordeal began following an investigative report he published in Daybreak Newspaper on September 24, 2023, titled “Kaduna Hajj Camp, a National Shame: Men, Women Sleep Together in Overcrowded Hall – Investigation.” The report exposed the poor state of the Mando Hajj Camp in Kaduna and the disorganization that marred the 2023 Hajj exercise, a situation that was also condemned by the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Nuhu Bamali, who served as the Amirul Hajj.
Despite contacting relevant officials, including the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Yusuf Yakubu A., for comments which were reflected in the story, Idibia said he was later arrested and detained.
His troubles began when he received a call from an officer of Operation Yaki, a special anti-crime unit under the Kaduna State Police Command, summoning him over a petition related to his report. “I knew immediately that the situation would be unjust, but as a responsible journalist, I decided to honour the invitation,” he recalled.
Before going to the station, Idibia informed members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna, but none accompanied him. On arrival, he was shown a photocopy of his published report and asked to write a statement. Despite requesting to wait for his lawyer, he was pressured into writing it and subsequently detained.
Attempts by fellow journalists and even the police spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, to secure his release initially failed. However, pressure from the NUJ national body later led to his release on bail.
Idibia narrated that he was later re-arrested, arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 2, Daura Road, and granted bail with stringent conditions — N2 million and two sureties — which he could not meet, leading to his remand at the Kaduna Correctional Centre.
Inside the prison, Idibia said he faced harassment from some officers over his previous reports exposing corruption. However, he was later recognized by inmates who sought his help in investigating their cases. “Many of them confided in me and asked me to look into their unjust imprisonment,” he said.
Over time, Idibia earned the trust of several inmates, including a self-described bishop who told him that his incarceration had a divine purpose — to help others through journalism. He said his investigative reports from prison eventually contributed to the release of several inmates who had been wrongfully detained.
“One of them, who was once a governorship aspirant, now treats me like a brother. Many others were also freed because of stories I wrote from prison,” he explained.
Reflecting on his experience, Idibia emphasized that objectivity, truthfulness, and balanced investigative journalism remain essential in a challenging environment like Nigeria.
“Fearless and conscientious journalism adds value socially, economically, and politically. Nothing good goes in vain,” he said. “No one can be so careful not to die one day. This is my story.”
Idibia, who has since received two NUJ National Awards and one International Award**, said his time in prison transformed him into a “consultant” for justice within the correctional system.
