By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna-based investigative journalist, Mr. Idibia U.A. Gabriel, has raised alarm over threats to his life following the publication of a report on a security raid carried out at a hotel in the state by special task force operatives.
The report, titled “Kaduna: Security Operatives Raid Hotels, Arrest Dozens of Suspects,” detailed the raid on De Jay’s Guest Inn in the Ungwan Boro community of Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area. The story, widely circulated and republished by platforms such as Opera News, revealed that several suspects, including alleged internet fraudsters and drug users, were arrested during the operation.
Mr. Gabriel alleged that following the publication, he received a threatening phone call on Thursday evening from the hotel owner, Mr. Victor Balogun, who demanded a retraction of the story.
“He called and said, ‘Mr. Idibia, thank you. I saw the report on Opera News. You mentioned my hotel only. I was there. I heard you speak to one of the police officers. If you don’t retract it or balance it with something positive, I will deal with you.’ He made further threats, claiming he could be dangerous,” Mr. Gabriel said.
According to the journalist, Mr. Balogun also stormed the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in anger, expressing his displeasure and insisting the report must be retracted, despite being informed that the journalist had only reported what he personally witnessed.
Background of the Raid
The original report described how security operatives arrived in convoys around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, storming De Jay’s Guest Inn through a small gate on Jaba Road. Eyewitnesses and hotel staff, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed that dozens of suspects were arrested, including a regular lodger known as Jessy. The room of the said guest was reportedly forced open after he failed to respond to knocks by the operatives.
The report further alleged that some staff members were manhandled for resisting or misbehaving during the raid, and that substances suspected to be drugs were recovered from some suspects.
Eyewitnesses also claimed that the operation extended beyond De Jay’s Guest Inn to other hotels in the Sabon Tasha area.
As of press time, attempts to obtain a response from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful. A message sent to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, seeking confirmation or comment had yet to receive a reply.
Community Reactions and Ongoing Concerns
Residents of Ungwan Boro have long complained about the increasing criminal activities in the area. Some have linked the recent raid to the death of a suspected internet fraudster (popularly known as a “Yahoo boy”) who was reportedly attacked and later died at the Sabon Tasha General Hospital.
Some female hotel staff, speaking anonymously, expressed fear over the frequent security raids and related incidents. They disclosed their intentions to resign from their jobs due to concerns for their safety.
Mr. Gabriel has called on relevant authorities and media rights organizations to intervene, stressing that no journalist should be intimidated for performing their constitutional duty.
