Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and detention of Abuja-based activist, Abubakar Salim Musa, describing the action as arbitrary and a clear abuse of power by the Nigerian police.
In a statement on Wednesday, the human rights organisation said Musa was arrested for exercising his right to freedom of expression on social media, noting that he was neither formally invited nor informed of any complaint or allegation against him before his arrest.
READ MORE:Amnesty International condemns arrest of Jigawa activist
Israel still committing genocide in Gaza – Amnesty International
According to Amnesty, Musa had been under surveillance by police officers attached to the Gusau Central Police Command for several days prior to his arrest.
“Last week, it emerged that Abubakar Salim was being tracked and monitored by police officers in connection with his legitimate exercise of freedom of expression on social media,” the organisation said.
Amnesty stated that despite repeated efforts by Musa’s lawyers to obtain clarification from the police regarding the surveillance, no official explanation was provided.
The organisation alleged that while Musa was in Abuja, he was tracked to Sounders Suites, located in Apo Legislative Quarters, Zone E, where he was arrested by heavily armed security operatives.
“He was subsequently detained at Abattoir, a notorious police detention facility where previous detainees have reported being subjected to torture,” Amnesty said.
The group further accused the police of denying custody of Salim when his family and legal representatives visited the detention centre to inquire about his whereabouts.
“When his family and lawyers approached the facility to ascertain the reason for his detention, the police brazenly denied having him in their custody,” the statement added.
Amnesty International called on the Nigerian authorities to release Musa immediately and unconditionally, stressing that criticism of public officials is not a crime.
“No one should be punished for criticising a government official,” the organisation said. “Abubakar Salim did not commit any crime. His arrest demonstrates a clear abuse of power and is a violation of his fundamental human rights.”
The organisation warned that detaining individuals solely for expressing opinions online violates both Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights law.
“Under international human rights law, the fact that a social media post is considered unpalatable by a government official or public figure does not justify arbitrary detention,” Amnesty noted.
Amnesty also expressed concern over what it described as increasing attacks on young Nigerians for expressing their views online.
“The right of young people to freedom of expression in Nigeria is increasingly under threat, with many facing intimidation, arrest, illegal detention, and harassment simply for expressing their opinions,” the organisation said, adding that such actions are “unlawful and unacceptable.”
