On August 30, 2022, Mr., Joseph Atabo, a photojournalist with Blueprint newspaper, and Mr. Chika Udenkwo, a reporter with Africa Independent Television (AIT), who were invited by Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GUPSUDA) to cover the demolition of the campaign office of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mohammed Barde, were arrested by the Gombe State Police Command
They were arrested while attempting to film the location adjacent to the Presidential Lodge of the Government and taken to the Pantami Divisional Police Station in the state capital.
Udenkwo was beaten by irate youths suspected to be Yan Kalare political thugs before his colleagues identified him as a journalist.
The police initially said they will not be released until Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya gives them orders to release them. They were however later released by the police.
