Nigerian Authorities Urged to End Arbitrary Detention of Critics and Respect Free Speech.
Nigerian Authorities Urged to End Arbitrary Detention of Critics and Respect Free Speech.
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the recent arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa by Nigerian police in Abuja, emphasizing concerns over rising attempts to silence young Nigerians for expressing their opinions online. The human rights organization described the arrest as arbitrary and unlawful, linked to Salim’s social media criticisms of government officials. Amnesty highlighted that Salim’s right to freedom of expression was violated, as he was monitored by police without any formal invitation, complaint, or allegation against him.
According to Amnesty, police tracked Salim to a hotel in the Apo Legislative Quarters area, where heavily armed security personnel arrested him. He was subsequently detained at Abbatoir, a notorious police detention center. When his family and lawyers sought clarification, police denied that he was in custody, raising further concerns about transparency and due process.
The rights group emphasized that Salim committed no crime by criticizing public officials and that punishing individuals for such expressions is a violation of fundamental human rights. Amnesty condemned the detention as an abuse of power and a breach of the rule of law, stressing that international human rights law protects individuals from arrest or detention for social media criticism.
The organization called on Nigerian authorities to release Salim immediately and unconditionally. It also expressed alarm over the increasing threats to young people’s freedom of expression in Nigeria, warning that such actions undermine democratic principles and human rights. Amnesty urged the government to respect constitutional rights and ensure that citizens can freely express their opinions without fear of intimidation or persecution. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the shrinking space for free speech and the need for greater protection of journalists and social media users in Nigeria.
