Govt disowns report of journalist hit by bullet

The Kano State government has disowned Media report of a journalist, Abubakar Rimi was allegedly hit by a stray bullet on Friday at the State Government House, Kano.

The victim, who works in the State government-owned Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Naziru Idris Ya’u, Kano, was urgently taken to the Kano State Government House Clinic for urgent Medical after the incident.

But the Director General of Media and Communication to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, clarified on Saturday in a statement said the journalist sustained injuries from the metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction, at the Kano State Government House, an area that has been barricaded for caution.

A local Radio station in the State had reported that the incident happened at about 6p.m on Friday May 3, 2024.

Naziru was spending time with friends in the Government House premises when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm. On checking, he saw a bullet lodged in his arm and realised he had been shot, according to Leadership Newspaper.

Naziru said, “I felt something hit my arm and saw that it was a bullet. According to him,
“It seemed to come from a distance as it was cool to the touch”.

He also stated that he struggled to remove the bullet himself and was immediately taken to the Government House Clinic for medical attention.

TheNewspad reports that the Media aide to the Governor, punctured the claim in his statement.

He said, “Let me emphasise the need for journalists to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties, especially in environments where construction activities pose potential hazards.

“We thereby dispel any rumour that had sparked outrage and call for increased safety measures for journalists covering sensitive events.

“We also need to underscore the importance of accurate reporting and thorough investigation in mitigating misinformation and maintaining public trust.

“Additionally, I have pledged to review and enhance existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and to rely on verified information from credible sources,” the government official said.