By Goodluck Ikiebe
Late Danjigba
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 being declared missing.
The Secretary of the Council, Ibrahim Ahmad, in a statement said the discovery of his corpse was as result of unpleasant odor observed by Islamiya Children in the evening of Wednesday 20th September, 2023, which drew the attention of their teachers to the corpse
“After breaking the sock away, the dead body was confirmed to be that of Danjibga by his family and some neighbours”, Ahmad added.
THe however 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 cause of the death and bring the culprits 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 VON NUJ Chapel has condemned the gruesome murder of Danjigba, by unknown abductors in Gusau, Zamfara State.
A statement by the Secretary, Taiwo Godwin, said,
“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. We also call on the appropriate authorities to pursue and snuff out his killers and make them account for their crime”
He recalled that the ate Hamisu Danjibga, is VON longest serving freelance Correspondent, having 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,” he said, adding that
Hamisu Danjigba also ensured cordial relationships between staff and other freelancers in both official and personal capacity.
He was a dedicated veteran journalist and reporter that at times cover and files three reports for VON in a day without any prejudice.
Also, a coalition of Non -Governmental Organisations including Upriver Needys Empirical Solution Center, Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre and Global Migration Research Institute, USA, have enjoined the security agencies to unravel Danjibga’s 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.