An anti-corruption group by name Bauchi Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice, has accused the Bauchi State Government of being after their lives.
The group in a statement signed by its General Secretary Yakubu Jibrin stated thus; “it has come to our attention that the Bauchi State government has directed the Government House Security Personnel to look for members of our group and get us arrested, especially the Chairman of our group, Abubakar Dogon Yaro Bibi and General Secretary of our group, Yakubu Jibrin.
The group further said that the approach by the State government will not deter them from carrying their responsibilities as citizens of the State that will always speak out whenever the government is doing the wrong thing.
“The questions we ask the state government are these; what are they arresting us for, did we commit any crime, is he above being challenged and criticized when one notice that he is going the way which are not right?
“Does it mean that we don’t have the right to free speech, or the right to express our views and opinion as it affects the people of Bauchi State?
The statement further that the group said that it is aware of the threats, intimidations and harassment to the lives of its members.
“We are calling on all the security agencies, which include the Director-General of the State Security Service, the Inspector-General of Police, and other security agencies as well as the general public to note that if anything happens to any member of our group or our families, the Bauchi State Government should be held responsible.”
“We also call on the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, to take note because our fundamental human right is being threatened”
The group also called on the President, Muhammadu Buhari also to call the Government of Bauchi to order over their incessant threats to their lives; Mr. President we know recently you said that you are committed to free speech of every Nigerian, we also know that your humble self is being critized daily, but we have never seen you take action against any person, because you believe in the fundamental human right to free speech and right to expression of oneself. We don’t know why the Bauchi Government’s own should be different.”
“We are also aware that there is nowhere in the world, where someone or group of persons are compelled to disclose their source of information, this is because it is against the ethics of Journalism as well as the right to freedom of expression, we don’t know why the case of Bauchi State Government will be different.”
