By Bala Dauda, The Newspointer
Damaturu, Yobe State | November 6, 2025
A journalist with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Babagana Kolo, has allegedly been assaulted by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Yobe State Government House, CSP Yakubu Zakari Deba.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday at the Yobe State House of Assembly complex in Damaturu, a few hours before Governor Mai Mala Buni presented the 2026 budget proposal to lawmakers.
Eyewitnesses told The Newspointer that the NTA reporter, alongside other journalists, was waiting to be admitted into the chamber when the CSO suddenly emerged from the gallery entrance and struck Kolo in the face.
“He came out suddenly and hit him. The punch left Kolo bleeding from the mouth,” an eyewitness said.
Kolo, who confirmed the incident, said he had no confrontation with the officer before the assault.
“I was standing with my colleagues, waiting to cover the budget presentation. When the officer came, he pushed me, and as I protested, he punched me in the mouth — even though my NTA ID card was clearly visible,” Kolo said.
The assault provoked anger among journalists present at the Assembly complex, who threatened to boycott the event. However, the intervention of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ado, and the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, prevented the protest.
Both officials reportedly assured members of the press corps that the matter would be properly investigated and that the officer would be compelled to apologise.
CSP Deba, a senior police officer, has served at the Yobe Government House for nearly two decades. He was first deployed to the state in 2007 as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the then Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, now Minister of Police Affairs.
Support real journalism.
✅ Prioritize credible sources
🔍 Fact-check what you read
💸 Donate to outlets that value truth, independence & fairness
Journalism matters—help it thrive. #NEWSPOINTER Fact checker#
It was also gathered that the officer had been accused of a similar assault on a journalist in 2022, which led to a temporary boycott of government activities by the state’s press corps.
Efforts by The Newspointer to reach CSP Deba for his comments were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to his mobile line were not returned as of press time.
