Kaduna DPO Detains Nagarta Radio Journalist Farida Isiak, Parents Over N100 Dispute

There is outrage in Kaduna State after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mararaban Jos, Usman Adamu, detained a young female journalist, Farida Isiak, and her parents following a dispute over N100.

Farida Isiak, a 23-year-old journalist with Nagarta Radio, Kaduna, was taken into custody around 10 p.m. on October 20, family sources and neighbours told PREMIUM TIMES.

She was arrested hours after police had detained her parents to lure her to the station.

How N100 Dispute Escalated

The incident began on October 19 when the journalist’s mother sold N400 worth of charcoal to a young girl sent by their neighbour.

“The girl brought N500, but the Mama had no change,” a family member said. “Then she asked the girl to go with the money and charcoal, instructing her to bring the money later.”

According to the family, the girl returned later and was given N100 balance.

“The following day, the neighbour returned to buy another N400 worth of charcoal. She paid N500 but demanded N200 in change, claiming she had not received her balance the previous day. Mama, however, explained that she had already given the girl the N100 change,” the source added.

The disagreement escalated, with the neighbour allegedly insulting the mother before calling her sister. Witnesses said the two women attempted to force their way into the house.

“They forced their way into her parlour, but the woman threatened to pour hot water on them, prompting them to flee,” a neighbour said.

They subsequently returned with police officers, who arrested the journalist’s mother.

Facebook Post Sparks Arrest

Ms Farida learnt of her mother’s arrest while at work and took to Facebook to criticize the police action.

Her father, who had travelled to Zaria, later called her, saying police wanted her to report to the station and delete the post.

“When the father returned, he went to the police station to secure his wife’s release but was also detained,” the family source said, alleging that police used the parents’ detention to get the journalist.

Upon arriving, officers accused the journalist of defaming the police and demanded she delete the Facebook post and apologize to Mr Adamu, the DPO.

“She complied with the demands in the hope of resolving the matter and securing her parents’ release,” the family member continued.

Despite deleting the post and apologizing, police detained the journalist and threatened legal action. She remained in custody as of press time.

When contacted for comment, Mr Adamu cut the call, saying a journalist could not speak to him over the phone.

The spokesperson for the Kaduna Police Command, Mansir Hassan, when contacted, sent the contact of the DPO to PREMIUM TIMES for further enquiry.

Source: Premium Times Nigeria