Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and detention of activist Abba Mu’azu Abiyos by the Jigawa State Police Command, describing the move as an unlawful violation of his right to freedom of expression.
Abiyos was taken into custody on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, reportedly for Facebook posts that criticized Abba Ya’u, Chairman of Roni Local Government Area. The activist remains detained at the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In a statement, Amnesty International said, “Criticizing people in power or government programmes is not a crime.” The organization further noted that the arrest represents a blatant abuse of power and intolerance for dissenting voices, emphasizing that no one should face detention for expressing opinions on social media.
“Detaining Abba Abiyos solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression is unacceptable and shows contempt for the rule of law,” the statement added. Amnesty warned that under international human rights law, personal displeasure with a social media post does not justify arbitrary arrest or detention.
The organization urged the Nigeria Police (@PoliceNG) to uphold due process and refrain from becoming instruments of political repression. “The activist must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Amnesty demanded.
This incident has sparked renewed concerns about the state of civil liberties and freedom of expression in Nigeria, with rights groups warning against the use of law enforcement to intimidate or silence government critics.
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