Usman Haruna: Kwara Journalist Death Threat Prompts SSS Call

• Kwara journalist Usman Haruna received a text message threatening him and his family with "very brutal things" on August 23.
• The sender, identifying as "Biggy from Temidire," claimed four days of monitoring and that two men provided Haruna's details for attacks.
• Haruna's media outlet, NupekoTV, reports on sensitive issues and has previously faced pressure to withdraw stories.
• He has informed security authorities and is preparing formal petitions to the police and the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the threat.
• The incident highlights ongoing challenges to press freedom and journalist safety in Nigeria, necessitating legal and official intervention.

This alarming incident involving Usman Haruna underscores the persistent dangers faced by journalists in Nigeria, particularly those reporting on sensitive local issues.

Usman Haruna, a prominent Kwara-based journalist and Editor-in-Chief of NupekoTV, has publicly raised an alarm after receiving a chilling text message threatening his life and that of his family. The message, sent to Mr. Haruna at approximately 8:35 p.m. on August 23 while he was in Ilorin, explicitly warned of "very brutal things" that could befall him and his loved ones. The sender, who identified himself as "Biggy from Temidire," claimed to have been monitoring Mr. Haruna and his family for four days, indicating a disturbing level of surveillance.

The threatening communication further alleged that two unidentified individuals had provided Mr. Haruna's personal details to the sender's associates, specifically for the purpose of orchestrating attacks. The message contained a direct instruction for the journalist to contact the sender and cautioned him against attempting to "play smart." Mr. Haruna confirmed that he did not respond to the message and has not received any subsequent communications from the sender since the initial threat. This incident highlights a severe case of a Usman Haruna Kwara journalist threat, prompting immediate concern for his safety and that of his family.

While initially considering the message potentially random, Mr. Haruna's apprehension intensified due to the nature of NupekoTV's reporting and the inclusion of specific details about his family and residence in the threat. NupekoTV frequently covers sensitive issues such as kidnapping, banditry, governance, and development, which have previously led to pressure from various individuals and community leaders to retract reports. Despite these attempts at NupekoTV journalist intimidation in Nigeria, the media outlet has consistently refused to comply.

This latest death threat against Usman Haruna and his family follows a pattern of previous incidents where Mr. Haruna and his organization faced pressure over their journalistic work. Weeks before receiving the SMS, NupekoTV published photographs illustrating the dilapidated state of a local secondary school, which resulted in demands for the report's withdrawal. Furthermore, in February, Mr. Haruna's personal participation in a protest in the Kwara State capital led to his three-month suspension from a community and sociocultural organization with which he was affiliated, despite his explanation that he attended in a personal capacity. He was not reinstated after the suspension period concluded, underscoring the broader challenges to freedom of press Nigeria threats pose.

In response to the grave threat, Mr. Haruna has taken steps to inform security authorities and is in the process of preparing formal petitions to both the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service (SSS). His primary objectives are to compel an investigation into the identity of the sender, verify the veracity of the claims regarding surveillance, and ascertain the identities of the two individuals allegedly mentioned in the threatening message. This proactive engagement with law enforcement underscores the critical need for a thorough journalist safety Nigeria investigation.

Mr. Haruna emphasized that he has no prior knowledge of the sender or the two men referenced in the text message. The Kwara State police petition aims to leverage official channels to uncover the perpetrators behind this serious intimidation attempt, ensuring accountability and safeguarding journalistic practice in the region.

This alarming incident involving Usman Haruna underscores the persistent dangers faced by journalists in Nigeria, particularly those reporting on sensitive local issues. The explicit death threat, coupled with claims of surveillance and prior attempts to suppress reporting, represents a direct assault on press freedom and the fundamental right of the public to information. Such threats create a chilling effect, potentially deterring journalists from fulfilling their crucial role in holding power accountable and informing communities.

The situation highlights the critical need for robust legal counsel for journalists and media organizations in Nigeria when confronting threats. It also emphasizes the importance of advising on effective engagement with security agencies like the Police and SSS, and pursuing all available legal recourse to protect media practitioners. Furthermore, media houses must consider compliance with staff safety protocols and actively defend press freedom against intimidation, ensuring that journalists like Usman Haruna can operate without fear for their lives or the well-being of their families.

This incident highlights the critical need for legal counsel for journalists and media organizations in Nigeria facing threats, advising on engagement with security agencies (Police, SSS), and pursuing legal recourse. It also underscores compliance considerations for media houses regarding staff safety protocols and defending press freedom against intimidation.

Source: Original reporting via PREMIUM TIMES