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By John Ogunsemore
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa, a social media user arrested for criticising security challenges in Northern Nigeria.
Atiku made the demand in a statement shared on X on Monday morning.
The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described Musa’s arrest and detention as “arbitrary” and part of a broader pattern of repression against dissent under the current government.
He urged the authorities to halt what he termed a dangerous trend of intimidation targeting critics, journalists, and opposition voices ahead of future elections.
The arrest of Musa, who is active on X as @AM_Saleeeem, came to public attention following a statement by Amnesty International Nigeria on January 7, 2026.
The human rights organisation condemned the detention as unlawful, stating that Musa had been tracked and monitored by detectives from the Gusau Central Police Command in Zamfara State despite no formal invitation, complaint or allegation communicated to him.
Amnesty said he was eventually arrested by heavily armed personnel at Sounders Suites, a hotel in Apo Legislative Quarters, Zone E, Abuja.
According to Amnesty, Musa’s criticism falls under protected freedom of expression, and detaining him constitutes an abuse of power and a violation of international human rights standards.
The group highlighted a growing pattern of threats, arrests, and harassment against young Nigerians for voicing opinions online.
In Monday’s statement, Atiku noted that Musa’s “only offence” was his consistent criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and nationwide.
He accused the government of responding with “bogus charges and a sham trial” rather than addressing the concerns raised.
He said, “This case is yet another stark example of the repressive nature of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which continues to bare its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism.
“Abubakar’s only ‘offence’ was his consistent and legitimate criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country.
“Rather than address these serious concerns, the government’s response has been to arrest him and subject him to what Amnesty describes as ‘bogus charges and a sham trial’.”
Atiku noted similar incidents involving journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who have faced arrest or intimidation by security agencies for criticising the president or his family.
He described the trend as undermining democracy and freedom of expression, warning that it creates an atmosphere of fear as the nation approaches critical elections.
“I therefore call on the Tinubu administration to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and all others detained for exercising their constitutional rights,” Atiku stated.
He also appealed to the international community to hold the government accountable and urged civil society and Nigerians to resist further erosion of freedoms.
