Gov. Buni’s CSO Apologises to NTA Reporter Over Assault
By Baba Dan’Iya
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Yobe State Government House, CSP Yakubu Zakari Deba, has tendered an apology to Mr Babagana Kolo, a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) reporter, for physically assaulting him.
The apology followed widespread condemnation from journalists and members of the public over the incident, which occurred on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Yobe House of Assembly during the presentation of the 2026 budget by Gov. Mai Mala Buni.
Deba, accompanied by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Yobe Council, Comrade Rajab Mohammed Ismail, the Focal Person on Strategies and Digital Communication, Mr Yusuf Ali, and a team of journalists, visited the NTA Damaturu station on Friday.
During the visit, Deba expressed deep regret over his actions and took full responsibility for his conduct.
“I am personally here to say sorry for my behaviour yesterday, which caused harm to you and embarrassment to other journalists around the vicinity and the state at large. I take full responsibility and seek forgiveness,” he said.
The intervention of the NUJ Yobe Council, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ado, and the Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, facilitated the reconciliation process.
Chairman of the NTA Damaturu NUJ Chapel, Comrade Aliyu Mohammed Babi, commended Deba for the humility shown in offering a public apology and called for sustained respect and understanding between security operatives and journalists in the discharge of their duties.
It will be recalled that Deba had on Thursday allegedly pounced on the reporter at the Assembly complex, hitting him in the mouth while journalists were waiting to be ushered into the chamber to cover the event.
The incident, earlier reported by Daily Trust, drew widespread condemnation from journalists, civil society groups, and members of the public.
