By Our Correspondent
A Consultant and owner of a hotel popularly known as De Jay’s Guest Inn, Mr Victor Balogun has been charged to court for alleged intimidation of a journalist over a news report in Kaduna.
Mr. Victor Balogun was charged to Upper Customary Court Television, Kaduna, on charge bothering on criminal intimidation on Monday 18th August 2025, by Sabon Tasha Police divisional headquarters.
According to Police First Information Report (FIR), signed by Inspector Bulus Alamu, and dated 18th August 2025, the Journalist, Mr. Idibia Ude Gabriel reported to Sabon Tasha police station of receiving a phone call from the hotel owner Mr. Balogun for threatening to deal with over a news report.
Mr. Idibia explained that the phone call he received from Victor Balogun, was in respect of the news report he worked on and published on a raid conducted by Special Joint Task Force on De Jay’s Hotel in Ungwan Boro in Kaduna on 26th June 2025. The news report was also lifted and published by other online news publications.
The FIR further stated that, the Journalist reported to the police that Mr. Balogun threatened him to retract the online news reports and redeem the image of his hotel otherwise Mr. Idibia will see what he could do, adding that he could be so dangerous.
The Journalist, had earlier in June 26th 2025, reported that security operatives, suspected to be members of the joint task force, carried out coordinated raids on hotels in Kaduna State, arresting dozens of crime suspects.
Titled: “Kaduna: Security Operatives Raid Hotels, Arrest Dozens of Suspects”, the report further stated that “The raids, which occurred late Tuesday night, was witnessed in the Ungwan Boro community of Sabo Tasha, Chikun LGA of Kaduna surbub”.
Mr. Idibia further reported that “Eyewitnesses and our correspondent, who witnessed the final stages of the operation, reported that the operatives arrived in convoys at De Jay’s Guest Inn, through its small gate, around 8 p.m.
“Hotel staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that dozens of suspected drug users—including alleged internet fraudsters and a regular guest—were arrested and taken away by the operatives.
“Some staff members were allegedly molested by the operatives for resisting or misbehavior. Drugs were reportedly found in possession of some of the suspects.
“Eyewitnesses further alleged that the raid was not limited to De Jay’s Guest Inn but also extended to other hotels in Sabon Tasha and surrounding areas.
“According to an insider, the guest room of a regular lodger, popularly known as Jessy, was forcibly entered after the guest allegedly refused to respond to knocks by the security operatives.
“When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, was yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
“A clarification message sent to the police spokesman read: “Security operatives raided De Jay’s Guest Inn, located in Ungwan Boro, on Tuesday night and arrested dozens of crime suspects, including a regular guest known as Jessy. Is the command aware of this incident or any related details, please?”
Below: The FIR submitted by police
