Police Defend Handling of Kaduna Journalist’s Alleged Defamation Case

The Kaduna State Police Command has defended its handling of the alleged defamation case involving Farida Isiak, a journalist with Nagarta Radio, insisting that the dispute should not be viewed solely as an attempt to suppress press freedom.

The command said the journalist’s Facebook post contained statements directed at the Nigeria Police Force, a police officer and his family.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, and signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the police said the circumstances surrounding the dispute should be assessed objectively before conclusions were drawn.

The command quoted Isiak’s post as containing criticism of the police force and the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mararaban Jos, Usman Adamu, alongside comments about his wife.

According to the police, the incident followed a disagreement between the parties after a request was made by the journalist. However, the command did not specify the nature of the request or provide further details about the disagreement.

“The command maintains that the circumstances should be considered objectively and in their proper context, rather than being characterised solely as an attempt to suppress press freedom without a comprehensive assessment of the facts,” the statement said.

The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had intervened to facilitate an amicable resolution, citing the need to maintain cordial relations between law enforcement officers and journalists.

The command expressed concern over media reports it said had condemned the police without adequately verifying the facts or obtaining its response. It urged journalists and media organisations to uphold accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting.

The case has attracted criticism from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other stakeholders following reports that Isiak, 23, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦1.75 million over the Facebook post.

The dispute reportedly began with a disagreement over ₦100 change from a charcoal sale involving Isiak’s mother and a neighbour. Her mother was allegedly arrested, while her father was detained after visiting the police station to secure her release.

Isiak subsequently reported to the station and was accused of defamation over her online comments. Reports said she deleted the post and apologised.

However, a Sharia Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna, has since set aside the conviction and sentence, granted her bail and ordered a fresh plea. A retrial was scheduled for November 3, 2026.

The NUJ has called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances of the case and urged judicial authorities to ensure that further proceedings are fair, transparent and consistent with the law.

The police said they remained committed to protecting constitutional rights and maintaining professional relations with the media, while stressing that freedom of expression should be exercised with regard for the rights and reputations of others.