NUJ VP Narrowly Escapes Alleged Attack by NDLEA Officials in Yola

• NUJ Vice President Zare Baba narrowly escaped an alleged attack by NDLEA officials in Yola after confronting them for urinating near the NUJ secretariat.
• The altercation escalated when an NDLEA official reportedly grabbed Zare and allegedly reached for his pistol, but intervention by the bar manager and bartender prevented further violence.
• The incident has raised concerns about the conduct of law enforcement and the safety of journalists, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

NUJ Vice President Narrowly Escapes Alleged Attack by NDLEA Officials in Yola

Yola, Adamawa State – In a disturbing incident on Wednesday evening, Comrade Zare Baba, the Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for Zone E, which includes Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States, narrowly escaped an alleged attack by officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The incident occurred at the NUJ secretariat in Yola around 8 PM.

According to reports, the altercation began when Comrade Zare Baba politely confronted the NDLEA officials for urinating indiscriminately at the entrance of the NUJ computer center and bar.

The officials, however, reportedly took offense at being cautioned and reacted aggressively.

In an interview with Tgnews, Comrade Zare described how the situation escalated.

“They felt disrespected and attacked me,” he said.

“One of them grabbed me by the shirt and threatened to beat me up.”

The tension heightened when one of the NDLEA officials allegedly reached for his pistol, apparently intending to shoot Zare.

The quick intervention of the bar’s manager and bartender, identified as Chris, reportedly prevented a potentially fatal outcome.

Zare recounted the harrowing experience, stating,

“He was held back by the manager and Chris the barman, that’s how I escaped death; otherwise, I would have been dead by now.”

He also mentioned that the NDLEA official threatened further violence, including damaging the tires of Zare’s car with the pistol and vowing to “come back and deal with” him.

The NUJ and other relevant authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the identities of the involved NDLEA officials are still unclear.

Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.

This incident has sparked concern within the journalistic community and among the public, raising questions about the conduct of law enforcement officials and the safety of journalists in the region.

The NUJ and civil society organizations are likely to call for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and protect the rights of individuals against abuse by security personnel.

As the situation develops, the public awaits more information and potential actions from the NUJ, the NDLEA, and other stakeholders involved in this troubling episode.