By: Yunusa Umar
Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization focusing on human rights, has condemned the arrest of Abba Abiyos, a social media activist over attacking Abba Ya’u, the chairman of the Roni area of the state.
This is contained in a Facebook post shared on Friday that the activist was arrested on Wednesday by the Police for defaming Roni chairman, Abba.
The statement partly reads, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest and detention of activist Abba Mu’azu Abiyos by the Jigawa state Police Command on baseless allegation of defaming the Chairman Of Roni LGA Abba Ya’u.”
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“Abba Abiyos’ arrest by the police on Wednesday 12 November 2025 following Facebook posts, shows utter disregard for the rule of law and intolerance of dissenting voices. No one should be punished for criticizing a government official”.
“Abba Abiyos did not commit any crime and his arrest shows clear abuse of power. It is perfectly within his right to criticize any government official — no matter his position or status”.
The statement further stated that the detained activist rightly exercised his right to freedom of expression, adding that detaining him shows contempt for the rule of law.
“Detaining Abba Abiyos solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression is unacceptable and shows contempt for the rule of law. Under international human rights law, the mere fact that a social media post is considered unpalatable by a local government chairman or any public figure is not sufficient to justify arbitrary detention by the police”.
“Nigeria police must always uphold the due process of law and not become a tool in the hands of politicians; by carrying out arbitrary arrest, detention, and other undue restrictions of the rights of individuals to the legitimate exercise of their freedom of expression and opinion. The activist must be released immediately and unconditionally”.
How activist was arrested
The activist who is well known on X (formerly Twitter) as @AbbaM_Abiyos went missing after posting photos of an empowerment programme done by Roni chairman in Jigawa State.
The X user, AbbaM_Abiyos posted the images of locally wheelbarrows and Water jerry cans empowerment programmes executed by the local government chairman of Jigawa.
“BREAKING: Executive chairman of Roni LGA in Jigawa State empowers his people with locally fabricated wheelbarrows and plenty of brand new water cans,”, his post reads.
However, his friends and colleagues posted days after that the activist was arrested for defaming the chairman of the council over the empowerment programme. This led to public criticism by X users.
The post which had gone viral showing brand new wheelbarrows loaded with yellow water Jerrycans as an empowerment programme.
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But Shi’isu Lawan Adam, Police spokesman in Jigawa State was not available for comment. SMS sent to him remained unattended as of press time.
This is coming weeks after chairman of Mokwa, Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi in Niger State ordered the arrest of a post-graduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for criticizing Niger State Governor, Bago.
