By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In Kaduna, three journalists have sounded the alarm over alleged threats directed at the leadership of their union. The individuals at the center of these threats include Mr. Gambo Santos Sanga, Haj. Fatima Aliyu, and Mr. Idibia Gabriel. These incidents reportedly stem from recent disputes related to allegations of fraud in the council union’s accounts and upcoming national elections.
One of the threats involved a confrontation between the council chairman and the union’s secretary, while others arose between the council chairman and the chair of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Kaduna, as well as the chairman of the Press Centre Management Committee (PCMC) and the ex-acting secretary of the council.
The initial threat came to light after Mr. Sanga raised concerns regarding a fictitious withdrawal of N3 million from the union’s corporate account at Keystone Bank, allegedly made without the knowledge of the union’s executives. His written statement, shared with colleagues on October 8, 2024, highlighted his fears: “Time Shall Tell, Real Soon,” he quoted the chairman as saying, indicating a sense of imminent danger.
Mr. Sanga detailed his experiences of intimidation over the past two and a half years, asserting, “Should anything happen to me anytime soon, the council chairman is behind and responsible for it.” He expressed additional concerns regarding the upcoming Triennial National Delegate Conference of NUJ scheduled for Imo State in 2024.
Haj. Fatima Aliyu also issued a warning, emphasizing that matters of unionism should be handled at the press center rather than her private residence. In her letter, she stated, “If anyone tries coming to my house, I will take drastic measures,” expressing her frustration over the encroachment on her privacy.
In a separate incident, NAWOJ’s chairman confirmed that the council chairman had confronted her at her home, using derogatory language. She described this encounter as not only insulting but also threatening, particularly after she advocated for female representation in the upcoming election screening committee during a union congress.
The third threat involved Mr. Idibia Gabriel, whose report on the alleged N3 million withdrawal triggered backlash from the PCMC chairman, Waheed Adubi. Mr. Adubi reportedly accused Mr. Gabriel of spreading false information and threatened legal action against him.
Despite efforts to escalate these concerns to the union’s leadership and the national president, responses have been slow or absent. As tensions rise within the union, the journalists are calling for urgent intervention to address the threats and protect their rights.
