By Goodluck Ikiebe
Zamfara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has announced the death of Hamisu Danjibga, a Freelance reporter with Voice of Nigeria (VON) whose body was found in a sock away behind his house three days after missing.
The Secretary of the Council, Ibrahim Ahmad, in a statement says the discovery of his corpse was as result of unpleasant odor observed by Islamiya Children in the evening of Wednesday 20th September,2023, who drew the attention of their teachers.
“After breaking the sock away, the dead body was confirmed to be that of Danjibga by his family and some neighbors”, Ahmad added.
The statement noted that, “His funeral rites have since been observed according to Islamic injunctions”.
Ahmad states that the Union extends its heartfelt condolence to the family, Voice of Nigeria and entire Zamfara State.
“The Council while expressing deep concern over the nature of Danjibga’s demise, appealed to security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.
Friends and associates have continued to send their condolence and sympathy to the family over the loss.
The sad incident has brought to the fore the dangers faced by Journalists in the course of doing their job as the fourth estate of the realm to hold the three other arms of governments accountable.
The Police in Zamfara State are yet to unravel the motive behind the dastardly act.
Meanwhile, the Voice of Nigeria Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, has condemned in its entirety the gruesome murder of Veteran Journalist, Hamisu Danjigba, by unknown abductors in Gusau, Zamfara State.
A statement by the Secretary, Taiwo Godwin, says it is with a deep sense of loss that the NUJ (VON CHAPEL) Executives And Members, received the news of the tragic death of Hamisu Danjigba, a VON Correspondent in Zamfara State, in the hands of his abductors.
“His Demise is another sad reminder of the grave danger that Nigerians, irrespective of Tribe, Creed or Culture, face as a result of insecurity in the country”, the statement stated.
The Chapel condemn in totality the unfortunate and inhumane event, while also sending its thoughts and prayers to his family at such a painful time in their lives.
” We also call on the appropriate authorities to pursue and snuff out his killers and make them account for their crime”.
Furthermore, we pray to God almighty that never again should there be a recurrence of this evil amongst the VON family.
Late Hamisu Danjibga, VON longest serving freelance Correspondent, spent about thirty years reporting for Hausa service from Zamfara state.
He was the Chairman of Voice of Nigeria’s freelancers, who always ensure open coordination, understanding as well as endurance among the stringers to withstand the challenges between them and management.
Hamisu Danjigba also ensured cordial relationships between staff and other freelancers in both official and personal capacity.
He is a dedicated veteran journalist and reporter that at times cover and files three reports for VON in a day without any prejudice.
May his soul rest in peace as the hashtag; #Justice4Hamisu# is launched.
Meanwhile, coalition of Non Governmental Organisations like Upriver Needys Empirical Solution Center, Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre and Global Migration Research Institute, USA, have enjoined the security agencies to unravel the killers and the motive behind it.
The Executive Secretary of Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre, Chief Barth Ikiebe, questioned the rationale for the killing of Hamisu Danjigba and urged Journalists to always think safety first while discharging their duties.
