Kano bans AIT, NTA, other journalists from covering activities

On Tuesday, the Kano State Government said that 14 journalists who were tasked with covering its events would no longer be accredited by their organisations.

Governor Abba Yusuf's spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, instructed the impacted reporters to return to their respective organisations for replacements in a message sent to them on Monday.

Despite the lack of an official explanation for the decision, Dawakin-Tofa mentioned recent events in a message posted on the Government House press crew's WhatsApp group.

"Gentlemen of the press," he wrote. Allow me to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for a job well done over the past year and a half. Regretfully, some hidden concerns occurred during my trip to the Republic of Serbia last week, and the leadership had to make a decision at this critical time.”
The 14 impacted journalists, who included directors, producers, and cameramen from different media outlets, were named in the statement. Aliyu Yusuf, Sani Suraj Abubakar, Director of Public Enlightenment, PRO Adamu Dabo, Naziru Yau, FRCN Chairman of the Crew, Sadiq Sani AA, Rabiu Sunusi, Triumph, Umar Sheka, and Freedom, Jabir Dan'abba, were among those named. Simon from Nasara-Labaran Sound, Nasiru Danhaki from AIT Cameraman, Abdullahi Sule from NTA, Murtala Baba Kusa from Driver, Ibrahim Muazzam from Express, and Radio Kano.

The decision to revoke the accreditation of persons on the list may have been connected to many occurrences, according to sources acquainted with the debate.

One such incident allegedly happened during Governor Yusuf's visit to Jigawa to offer condolences when a petrol truck exploded.
A furious dispute broke out between DSS agents at the Jigawa Government House and the Kano government house press team over access limitations.

Another incident that apparently infuriated officials was media visiting Kano for a religious event and requesting an audience with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed without prior authorisation.

Although these incidents were mentioned, insiders hinted that there may be additional factors involved in the decision to revoke accreditation.

They attributed it to ongoing tensions, such as a stray bullet that hit a journalist's window months ago, in spite of government officials' denials, and worries over information that was released about how the government deals with the media.