Hamidu Mukhtari, an alleged political enforcer known colloquially as Dogo, has reportedly assaulted a journalist within the premises of the Adamawa State Government House in Yola. The victim, Ibrahim Mista Ali, was purportedly targeted following his critique of the state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Ali was in the building to report on a press conference by the Secretary to the Government, Awwal Tukur. He claims to have been physically abused by Dogo, who had previously warned him against publishing negative content. According to Ali, Dogo slapped, punched, and manhandled him, with the incident happening in the presence of security officials.
Dogo has a reputation for conducting several attacks against individuals seen as adversaries of the governor. He is currently on administrative bail following a 2021 arrest for possession of a large quantity of cannabis by the NDLEA. The then state commander of NDLEA, Muhammed Bello, confirmed Dogo’s arrest, stating that he was found with 166 kg of cannabis sativa.
Dogo, who allegedly wields significant influence, was supposedly involved in the kidnapping and degradation of a senior official of the Department of Security Service (DSS), Halilu Musa, and a senior INEC commissioner, Professor Zuru, during the tumultuous governorship supplementary election in April.
Sources claim that Dogo’s influence is so vast that he can bypass protocols and even intimidate security personnel within the government house. He was reportedly granted an office as the Director of Youths Mobilisation by the state’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after his bid to become youth leader was rejected.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Humwashi Wonosiko, refrained from commenting on the issue, asserting that it was a personal dispute and not a governmental concern.
