No fewer than 50 journalists representing various media organisations from within and outside Zamfara state were barred by security agents from covering President Muhammadu Buhari’s state visit to the state Or correspondent gathered that the president was in the state on a one day visit to sympathise with the people over the many attacks on communities by unknown gunmen, leading to loss of many lives.
The journalists gathered at the Government House, Gusau, where the president was expected to address a gathering of stakeholders as early as 7am, were initially asked to wait until they were screened.
After waiting patiently up to around 11:00am the combined team of the security directed all the newsmen to leave without explaining to them the reason behind the action.
This was however followed by resistance from the journalists but the armed security men threatened to shoot them, which forced the journalists to retreat.
Meanwhile, except for the media outfits that had representation in the presidential team or at the Government House, many of the media houses could not cover proceedings of the town hall meeting with the president which is a crucial aspect and high point of the visit.
Some state executive council members as well as some of the journalists who spoke to our reporter expressed dismay in the way they were denied access to the venue.
“It is sad that we are not allowed to reach out and cover this event for our readers, listeners and viewers, and this is a blackout caused by the security which is very wrong especially in a political dispensation,” one of the barred journalists was quoted as saying.
Blueprint reports that the president arrived at the Government House, Gusau, at exactly 11.10 am and he is expected to condole people of the state over the killing of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen, discuss security issues and give reassurances to Nigerians.
The meeting is being attended by security chiefs, state and federal government officials, traditional and religious leaders and some selected groups.
