MRA Demands Action Over Attack on Journalists Covering Kano Rally

Oru Leonard

Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has commended the Kano State Government for condemning the recent attack on journalists covering a political rally in the state, but has demanded concrete action to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.

The organisation, in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, September 7, 2026, said condemnation of the attack was only the first step, stressing that accountability must follow.

MRA’s Senior Legal Officer, Ms Iluobe Adams, urged the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to personally follow up on the investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The attack reportedly occurred shortly after journalists covered an All Progressives Congress (APC), rally at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

According to MRA, a vehicle belonging to Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM, conveying four of the station’s staff, a journalist from Guarantee Radio and another journalist from the Daily Trust newspaper, was attacked by hoodlums armed with machetes and knives.

The attackers reportedly repeatedly hit the vehicle with the weapons, injuring the driver, while some of the journalists sustained injuries from broken glass after the vehicle was damaged.

Adams welcomed the Commissioner’s condemnation and his recognition that journalists performing legitimate professional duties must be protected and allowed to work without fear, intimidation or harassment.

She also welcomed the Commissioner’s call on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

However, she urged the Commissioner to engage directly with security authorities to ensure a prompt and transparent investigation, regular updates on its progress and the eventual publication of the findings.

She further called for all identified perpetrators to be prosecuted regardless of their political affiliation or connections.

Adams also urged the Commissioner to engage with the management of Pyramid FM, the affected journalists and the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to obtain first-hand accounts of the incident and determine additional measures required to protect journalists covering political activities in the state.

According to her, effective follow-up would send a strong message to political actors, their supporters and other groups that violence against journalists would not be tolerated in Kano State.

She stressed that attacks on journalists covering political events go beyond individual media workers, describing them as attacks on the public’s right to know and the democratic process.

Adams noted that journalists play a critical role in providing citizens with information about political parties, candidates, policies and public events, thereby enabling voters to make informed decisions.

She warned that attempts to intimidate, assault or prevent journalists from performing their duties could undermine citizens’ meaningful participation in democratic processes, while failure to investigate and prosecute such attacks could encourage further violence as political competition intensifies.

MRA also called for the establishment of a systematic mechanism for protecting journalists covering political activities in Kano State.

The organisation suggested regular consultations among the Ministry of Information, security agencies, political parties, the NUJ and media organisations, as well as clear protocols for protecting journalists at political gatherings and mechanisms for rapidly reporting and responding to attacks or threats against media workers.

It further urged political parties, their supporters, security agencies, event organisers and other stakeholders to recognise the legitimate role of journalists at political events and take proactive steps to guarantee their safety.
MRA also called on media organisations to strengthen safety protocols for journalists covering political rallies and other potentially volatile assignments, including conducting risk assessments, establishing emergency communication arrangements and ensuring access to timely legal and security assistance.

The organisation said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the incident and urged the authorities to provide timely information on the outcome of the investigation.