A journalist was reportedly detained by Hisbah operatives in Katsina State over his investigation into the murder of Mallam Gambo, a wedding guest.
Jamil Mabai, a freelancer, was reportedly arrested by the operatives of the morality police during his investigation of the death of a wedding guest who died on Friday.
Mallam Gambo, the wedding attendee, died from gunshot wounds when operatives of Hisbah dispersed wedding guests at a wedding on Friday in enforcement of the ban on disc jockeys (Djs) in the state.
The gunshots, according to Mabai, were fired by operatives of the “Community Watch Corps tasked with defending communities against bandits.”
Mabai had gone to investigate Gambo’s death when he was apprehended and locked up by the operatives.
This was revealed by Mabai in a statement on his verified X page on Wednesday.
He noted that following this incidence, he contacted the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the religious groupto request a follow-up interview regarding Mallam Gambo’s death.
He alleged that they set him up and detained him for committing no offence.
His statement reads, “I was detained by Katsina Hisbah officials when I visited their office to conduct a follow-up interview with the PRO.
“Hisbah has banned the activities of DJs at events in the Katsina. Last Friday, Mallm Gambo, a resident of Katsina, died from a gunshot wound sustained
“while Hisbah officials were trying to shut down a wedding with a DJ. The shots were fired by an operative of the Community Watch Corps tasked with defending communities against bandits.
“Following this incidence, I contacted the Katsina Hisbah Public Relations Officer (PRO) to request a follow-up interview regarding Mallam Gambo’s death.
“Upon my arrival at the Hisbah office, I couldn’t find the PRO. Unknown to me, it was a setup.
“Hisbah officers approached me, claiming they were instructed to detain me. Despite explaining that I was a journalist there for an interview, they insisted and confiscated my phone before holding me in a cell.
“Later, I was brought before the commandant’s office. He threatened me; he said, “I am fighting with religion, and there is nothing I or anybody can do against the activities of Hisbah.” After an hour, I was released.
“The entire ordeal raises serious concerns. I informed them that detaining a journalist on their premises without a reason or opportunity to provide a statement is a clear violation of press freedom.”
