How NPL coach attempted to hit reporter during post match conference

Head Coach of Barau FC, Eugene Agagbe, verbally assaulted a reporter, Aminu Halilu, during a post-match press interaction following his team’s 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The coach insulted the reporter as the session turned rowdy, with other reporters attempting to calm him down.

Trouble started when Halilu asked about what he described as technical lapses in Barau FC’s line-up, and how the coach planned to address them to build a stronger squad for the season.

Agagbe rejected the question and accused the journalist of undermining his efforts.

He said, “That is your own opinion as a press man. There is nothing like technical lapses. I substituted and the substitution I made came in and won the game. So what are you talking about technical lapses? When you make a change and that change is positive, stop using such words. Okay. It is as if you are not appreciating the efforts. Let me put it on record that some questions asked are not supposed to be asked.”

When asked to calm down, the coach who was obviously annoyed, said, “ I cannot cool down. When you are asking me a question, you behave as if Barau FC is not your team; you don’t ask me questions like that.

“I will stop answering your question. If you are the only person to send questions to me, I will stop.

The coach, who at this stage rose from his seat, said, “What kind of question is that? I will stop coming here. A team has won its match, got the three points, and you are talking of technical lapses. I came here before the second stanza of the season, you are a fool.”

Some persons prevented him from approaching the reporter who was heard telling the coach that that was not the first time of him harassing journalists.

However, the Freedom Radio, Kano Chapel of the  Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has since condemned the alleged harassment.

A statement by the Chapel Chairman, Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, on described the attack on Halilu as an attack on organized journalism and the professional institutions that uphold ethics, accountability, and press freedom.

The statement reads, ‘’Journalists are not enemies; they are stakeholders. Asking legitimate questions about performance is part of the job description. Responding with abuse or intimidation is a clear violation of professional conduct and an affront to democratic values. Passion is not a license for misconduct.’’

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