Kaduna Hotelier Arraigned for Allegedly Threatening Journalist Over Security Raid Report

KADUNA — A hotel owner in Kaduna, Mr. Victor Balogun, has been arraigned before an Upper Customary Court on charges of criminal intimidation after he allegedly threatened a journalist for reporting on a security raid at his establishment.

Balogun, who owns De Jay's Guest Inn in Ungwan Boro, was arraigned on Monday, August 18, 2025, following a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Sabon Tasha Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to the police document, the journalist, Mr. Idibia Ude Gabriel, reported that Balogun had called him and issued threats, demanding he retract his story and "redeem the image" of the hotel. The FIR quoted Gabriel as saying that Balogun told him he would "see what he could do" and that he "could be dangerous."

The Disputed Report

The story in question, titled "Kaduna: Security Operatives Raid Hotels, Arrest Dozens of Suspects," was published on June 26, 2025. It detailed a raid by a Special Joint Task Force on several hotels, including De Jay's Guest Inn. The report stated that security operatives forced their way into the hotel, arresting dozens of suspected drug users and internet fraudsters. Eyewitnesses cited in the story alleged that drugs were recovered and that some hotel staff and a lodger were molested during the operation.

The journalist stated that the threats from Balogun came after the report gained further traction and was republished by other online news outlets. Balogun now faces charges of criminal intimidation for his alleged attempts to silence the journalist over the report.