As at 11.09 pm while I was in bed sleeping, the leader of an NGO, Shettima Yerima called me with the number 0803 3266468 on 11th of December ,2021.
I was surprised ,calling me at odd hours ,coupled with the sadness of that Saturday being the day my colleague who was killed in Abuja ,Tordue Salem, was laid to rest in Benue State.
After greetings, Shettima Yerima was asking me in a militaristic manner why I wrote a story that emanated from a press statement issued to journalists by a group clamoring for an Igbo Presidency in 2023.
He claimed to be “insulted ” in the report which was published in the on line platform of Vanguard, the medium I represent,and also in other on line platforms.
My efforts to explain to Yerima Shettima that he has a right of reply, was not good enough as the NGO man spoke to me harshly in a militaristic manner, concluding with a threat to my life in Hausa ,which could simply mean my life is in danger if I continue with my reports.
He was not happy that in spite of our seeming friendly relationship, I went and published a report,presumably from his adversaries ,which does not go down well with him.
My attempt to let him know that in journalism, we publish reports from all sides so as to encourage fairness ,further provoked him to utter words that were frightening and made my night sorrowful.
As a law abiding Nigerian ,I have no option than to write this in form of a petition.
I hope action will be taken.
My life is in danger because NGO’s in present day Nigeria could possess enormous wealth to execute what they want.
Signed:
Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Vanguard Correspondent in Kaduna state
I copy this to ;
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna Command
Director ,DSS Kaduna
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna
Commandant ,NSCDC Kaduna
NUJ,Kaduna
National Secretary ,NUJ National Hq,Abuja
The Editor, Vanguard media Abuja
The Sarki of Hayin Banki-Kaduna
The District Head of Kawo Kaduna
Barrister Abuul ,Kaduna
Barrister Al- Ameen Dikko, Kaduna
Forum of members of 33RC,NDA Kaduna
The District Head of Wuyo ,Bayo LGA ,Borno State
The print and electronic media.
