Gov Buni’s CSO assaulted NTA reporter at Yobe assembly complex

By Baba Dan’Iya

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Yobe Government House, CSP Yakubu Zakari Deba, on Thursday allegedly assaulted a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) reporter, Mr Babagana Kolo, at the Yobe House of Assembly complex in Damaturu.

The incident occurred while a group of journalists were waiting to be ushered into the chamber to cover Governor Mai Mala Buni’s presentation of the 2026 budget before the legislature.

Eyewitnesses said Deba pounced on Kolo and struck him on the face, inflicting injuries on his mouth.

The unprovoked attack disrupted the media’s orderly coverage of the event and nearly led to a boycott of the session until the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, intervened and persuaded journalists to continue with the coverage.

Deba, who has served in the Yobe Government House for nearly two decades, was first posted to the state as an inspector and served as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the then Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, now Minister of Police Affairs.

The officer, now a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), has in the past had strained relations with members of the press, leading to a temporary boycott of government activities by journalists in 2022.

The latest incident has renewed public debate on the propriety of an officer remaining in a single duty post for about 20 years. Many observers are questioning whether such an extended tenure is consistent with police service regulations or public accountability.

Some members of the public have also queried whether a CSP can continue to serve as a Government House CSO, calling on the Yobe Police Command to clarify the officer’s deployment status and explain the rationale behind his prolonged stay.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, said the command would investigate the matter and take appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.