The Kano State Police Command has responded to an online claim that journalist Abdulaziz Aliyu was detained for more than two hours at Court Road Area Command in Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano, because of a publication.
In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said this was not the case.
According to him, Aliyu was “not detained but rather invited following a written complaint lodged against him.”
He explained that it was a normal part of police investigation.
Kiyawa said Aliyu honoured the invitation, granted bail, and asked to return on September 10 to continue assisting with the investigation.
The police also said they checked with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Chapter, and found that “neither Abdulaziz Aliyu nor Yakubu Salisu are registered members of the union.”
The Command stressed that it respects journalists and values freedom of expression.
“We remain committed to upholding the rights of every individual and maintaining a cordial working relationship with media practitioners in the state,” the statement read.
However, the police condemned Yakubu Salisu’s online post, calling it a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
“Such actions undermine the mutual trust and cooperation between the Police and the respected media community. Hence, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law,” the Command warned.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, assured Kano residents that the case is still under investigation and will be handled “transparently and professionally.”
The statement urged the public to always confirm information before spreading it and to keep supporting the police in their duty to protect lives and property.