DSS Officer Assaults Journalist Over Electricity Bill Dispute in Kebbi State
Birnin Kebbi – Tensions escalated in Kebbi State when a Department of State Services (DSS) officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly assaulted Mallam Shuaibu Zubair, a correspondent for Authority newspaper. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute regarding the payment of an electricity bill.
According to Zubair, the incident was triggered when the DSS officer, angered by reminders from co-tenants regarding his partial payment of N4,000 towards a bill of N5,000, confronted him. Zubair, who was joined by other tenants, stated that the DSS officer had been using two apartments and was responsible for covering a total of N5,000 monthly. When the group discovered that he had not fully paid his share of the collective bill of N10,000, they approached him for clarification.
Zubair recounted the aggression he faced: “The DSS officer slapped me six times in front of the other tenants without them reacting. He then threatened me, saying, ‘You have received a beating for nothing, and you will die for nothing. Today, you will learn that I am a DSS officer. If I kill you, nothing will happen. The most you can do is report me to the police.’” He added that the assault has exacerbated an existing eye condition, leaving him fearful for his safety at home.
Witnesses corroborated Zubair’s account. Maryam Aminu, a neighbor, stated that she observed the officer slap Zubair and attempt to strangle him before she and others intervened. “We told them they are all elderly men; it’s unnecessary to fight over an electricity bill. We called for other neighbors to help.”
Another neighbor, Mallam Haliru Usman, mentioned that he was alerted about the situation while in his room. “I advised them to settle the matter amicably, but the journalist felt cheated and is determined to pursue justice. As a Muslim, I am prepared to testify if called upon, in accordance with my faith’s teachings, because I witnessed the incident.”
In light of the unprovoked attack and subsequent threats, Zubair has decided to take legal action against the DSS officer involved.
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