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By John Ogunsemore
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the arrest of a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abubakar Mokwa, allegedly over a social media post critical of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago.
Mokwa had been remanded in prison until November 17, 2025, over the matter.
In a Wednesday statement, Amnesty described the student’s ordeal as an “escalation of attacks on human rights.”
The global human rights group emphasised that it is perfectly within his right to criticize the governor.
The statement reads, “Criticizing a president or a governor – no matter who he is – is not a crime.
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“The arbitrary detention and plan to subject Abubakar Mokwa to a sham trial based on bogus charges are the latest symptoms of the alarming backsliding of human rights across Nigeria.
“The governor of Niger state must end such brazen and consistent attacks on freedom and human rights and comply with Nigeria’s constitution and international law that guaranteed the right to freedom of expression.”
Amnesty stated that Nigerian politicians were increasingly abusing their power by locking up their critics.
“When on the streets, on peaceful protests, Nigerian youths are always met with violent reprisal from the Nigerian authorities, and now their online voices are being silenced as well, through manipulation of the police and weaponization of the judiciary,” the statement reads.
Amnesty said Mokwa must be released immediately and unconditionally.
“Governor Umaru Bago should be listening to what his critics are saying instead of using the police to silence them,” the group stated.
