The Kaduna State Police Command has defended its handling of the case involving Nagarta Radio journalist Farida Isiak, maintaining that the dispute arose from statements she allegedly published on Facebook about the Nigeria Police Force, a police officer and his family.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the command's spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the circumstances surrounding the journalist's arrest and prosecution should be examined objectively rather than treated solely as an attempt to suppress press freedom.
The police explanation followed widespread criticism of Isiak's arrest and initial sentencing to four years' imprisonment or a fine of ₦1.75 million over allegations of defamation.
According to the command, the journalist's Facebook post contained offensive remarks directed at the police institution and the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaban Jos, as well as comments concerning the officer's wife.
The police alleged that Isiak criticised the officer's leadership and made personal statements about his family following a disagreement between the parties.
However, the command did not provide a detailed explanation of the original disagreement or address all the allegations concerning the reported detention of the journalist's parents.
Hassan said the Commissioner of Police had personally intervened on Wednesday to facilitate an amicable resolution of the matter.
The command also expressed concern about reports that condemned the actions of its officers without adequately examining the circumstances or seeking the police account.
It maintained that such reporting could create misleading impressions and damage the reputation of individuals and institutions involved.
While acknowledging the importance of journalism in a democratic society, the police insisted that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and with respect for the rights and reputations of others.
The controversy began following a disagreement involving Isiak's mother and a neighbour over ₦100 change from a charcoal sale.
According to an investigation published by Premium Times on October 21, the disagreement led to the arrest of the journalist's mother. Her father was also reportedly detained after visiting the police station to seek his wife's release.
Family sources alleged that the detention of both parents was subsequently used to compel Isiak to report to the police station after she criticised the officers' conduct on Facebook.
The 23-year-old journalist was reportedly taken into custody on October 20 after presenting herself at the station.
Her family alleged that officers demanded that she delete the Facebook post and apologise to the Divisional Police Officer, Usman Adamu.
Although she reportedly complied, she was subsequently taken before a Sharia court in Kawo, Kaduna, where she initially pleaded guilty to the charge brought against her.
The court sentenced her to four years' imprisonment or an option of a ₦1.75 million fine.
However, the conviction was later set aside following the intervention of her lawyer, Mukhtar Abubakar, who challenged the proceedings on the grounds that she had entered her initial plea without legal representation and did not fully understand its implications.
The court permitted Isiak to enter a fresh plea, to which she pleaded not guilty, and subsequently granted her bail.
The case has been adjourned until November 3, 2026, for further proceedings.
The development has attracted criticism from Amnesty International Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, both of which raised concerns about the circumstances of the journalist's arrest and the handling of the initial court proceedings.
Amnesty International described the arrest and sentencing as an abuse of power and alleged that the police had used the detention of Isiak's parents to pressure her over the social media post.
The organisation called for the charges against the journalist to be dropped and demanded an independent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists also called for an impartial investigation, stressing that allegations of defamation must be addressed through lawful procedures that respect constitutional rights.
The union acknowledged that journalists are not above the law and that freedom of expression does not provide immunity from legitimate legal proceedings.
However, it maintained that criticism of public officials should not result in intimidation or punishment outside the requirements of due process.
The NUJ also urged judicial authorities to ensure that the forthcoming proceedings are conducted fairly and transparently.
The Kaduna Police Command, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to protecting constitutional rights and maintaining a professional relationship with the media.
The command maintained that the dispute should be assessed in its full context, including the statements allegedly made by Isiak and the events preceding her arrest.
Nevertheless, several issues remain unresolved, particularly the legality of the reported detention of her parents and the circumstances surrounding her initial conviction.
The police statement did not establish that the allegations of misconduct against its officers were unfounded, just as the criticism of the command does not independently establish criminal or disciplinary wrongdoing.
Those questions require examination through appropriate legal and investigative procedures.
With Isiak's earlier conviction set aside and her not-guilty plea entered, the case remains before the court.
Attention will now turn to the November 3 hearing and whether the proceedings will address the competing accounts of the journalist, her family and the police.
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