Amnesty International has condemned the arrest of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) student, Abubakar Mokwa, over an alleged social media post he made about Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State.

The organisation described the arrest as an attack on citizens’ rights, stating that criticising a president or governor is not a crime anywhere.
“Criticising a president or a governor – no matter who he is – is not a crime. 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,” Amnesty said.

Mokwa was arrested for allegedly comparing Umaru Bago to the content creator, Governor Amuneke, in a social media post. He has since been remanded in prison.
Amnesty demanded his immediate release, stating that criticising a government official is within the student’s rights.
It said, “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 guarantee the right to freedom of expression.”

Amnesty also reiterated that many Nigerian politicians detain citizens who criticise their administrations. The group referenced recent protests and other expressions of dissent against the government.
It added, “Nigerian politicians are increasingly abusing their power by locking up their critics. When on the streets, during peaceful protests, Nigerian youths are always met with violent reprisals from the Nigerian authorities, and now their online voices are being silenced as well through manipulation of the police and weaponisation of the judiciary.”

The organisation urged the Niger State government to release the student and view his criticisms as constructive feedback for the administration.
“Abubakar 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.”

Mokwa, known for his public criticism of Bago’s administration, was arrested after referring to the governor as Governor Amuneke in several online commentaries.
The police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Friday, October 24, said Mokwa was arrested by officers from the Lapai Division after a complaint was lodged against him for offences bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other cyber-related crimes.

“The Niger State Police Command received a criminal complaint bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other cybercrime-related offences against one Abubakar Isah Mokwa, 29 years of age, and a postgraduate student of IBBUL,” Abiodun stated.