A Department of State Services (DSS) officer, Dauda Auwalu Taura, assigned to the Kebbi State Command, has been accused of physically assaulting journalist Mallam Shuaibu Zubair, a correspondent for Authority newspaper, following a dispute over an outstanding electricity bill.
According to Vanguard, the confrontation began when Taura, who had paid only ₦4,000 of a ₦5,000 electricity bill, was confronted by Zubair and other tenants over the unpaid balance.
The situation quickly escalated, with Taura allegedly slapping Zubair multiple times and threatening his life, asserting that his position within the DSS would protect him from any repercussions.
Zubair recounted the incident, saying, “Taura occupies two apartments, each billed at ₦2,500 monthly. The total electricity bill for the tenants is ₦10,000, and while everyone else paid their share, it was discovered that Taura had underpaid.
“When we approached him to resolve the issue, he became furious, slapped me six times in the presence of other tenants, and threatened my life. He said, ‘You have received a beating for nothing, and you will die for nothing. If I kill you today, nothing will happen.’”
Zubair, now suffering from aggravated eye issues due to the assault, expressed concerns about his safety, describing living in the same building as Taura as increasingly perilous.
A Neighbor, Maryam Aminu witnessed the altercation and confirmed the severity of the attack, stating, “He slapped him twice and jerked his clothes, trying to strangle him. We had to run out and call other neighbors to rescue the journalist.”
Another resident, Mallam Haliru Usman, also supported Zubair’s account: “I was in my room when I was called to help intervene. After the issue, I suggested they settle amicably, but the journalist insisted he had been cheated and would take action. As a Muslim, if I am called to testify anywhere, I will do so truthfully because I witnessed what happened.”
Zubair has filed a lawsuit against Taura for the assault and death threats. The case is expected to be heard in court once the suspect is served with a summons.
