Gunmen attacked the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Damaturu, Yobe State, in the early hours of Friday, September 19, 2025, shooting and injuring a police officer guarding the building.
The incident occurred around 2:00 am, when unidentified armed men stormed the NUJ premises and opened fire. The officer on duty was shot in the leg and left badly injured.
He was quickly rushed to the Police Hospital in Damaturu, where he is currently receiving medical treatment. As of the time of this report, there has been no official update on his condition, but police sources say he is responding to treatment.
The attack has raised serious concerns about the safety of media workers and institutions in the state.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the NUJ Yobe State Council, Rajab Ismail Mohammed, condemned the attack in strong terms. He described it as not just an attack on a security officer but an attempt to intimidate the press.
“This is not only unfortunate but also scary,” he said. “An attack on the NUJ secretariat is an attack on press freedom and a clear attempt to intimidate journalists in Yobe State.”
He urged the security agencies to act swiftly by launching a full investigation into the attack and ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.
“This cannot be taken lightly. We call on the police and other security forces to do everything possible to fish out those behind this cowardly act,” he added.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility so far. However, Yobe State, like other parts of the North-East, has experienced security challenges in the past, including attacks by armed groups and criminal elements.
Journalists and media workers in the state are now calling for increased protection, especially for media houses and facilities.
The Yobe State Police Command has yet to release an official statement on the attack or provide further details on ongoing investigations.
The NUJ has called for calm but warned that the safety of media practitioners must not be taken for granted, especially in areas with fragile security.
