NUJ condemns false report on alleged attack in Mafa, demands retraction from Punch Newspaper
Story from Ibraheem El-Tafseer
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, has strongly condemned a recent publication by Punch Newspaper alleging an attack in the Mafa community of Yobe State, describing the report as false, misleading, and completely fabricated.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, September 11, 2025, the NUJ Yobe Council expressed shock over what it termed “reckless and irresponsible journalism” by Punch, insisting that no such incident occurred in Mafa or anywhere else in the state as reported.
The statement, signed by the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Rajab Ismail Mohammed, warned that the spread of unverified information could cause public panic and misinformation, especially in a state that has worked hard to restore peace and stability.
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“The union has since directed the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee to invite the Punch reporter, Mr. Kagana Amshi, for investigation over the misleading report,” the statement said.
The council emphasized the need for journalists to uphold the principles of truth, accuracy, and professionalism, urging media practitioners to thoroughly verify reports before publication.
NUJ Yobe called on Punch Newspaper to immediately retract the false report and issue a formal public apology to the government and people of Yobe, particularly the Mafa community, which has been unnecessarily subjected to psychological distress.
The union also advised the public to disregard the said publication and rely on credible and verified news sources for accurate information.
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