Atiku Demands Release of Niger Student Arrested for Criticising Governor Bago

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, describing it as a troubling sign of growing intolerance in Nigeria.

Atiku, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, said Mokwa had been detained for more than a week for expressing his opinion about Niger State Governor Umaru Bago.

He called the incident “outrageous and unacceptable,” warning that Nigeria was sliding into repression where citizens are punished for speaking their minds.

Atiku accused the government of misusing the Cybercrimes Act to silence critics, insisting that defamation should remain a civil matter, not a criminal offence.

“To weaponise it for political witch-hunts is a betrayal of justice and an assault on democracy,” he said.

He further alleged that the ruling party was turning state power into a tool for intimidation, adding that arbitrary arrests of citizens, journalists, and opposition members had become routine.

Atiku demanded Mokwa’s immediate and unconditional release, calling the detention “tyranny in disguise.” He also urged the National Assembly to review or amend the Cybercrimes Act, which he described as a “convenient tool for gagging free speech.”

He warned that history would not be kind to those who “criminalise truth,” urging Nigerians to stand in defence of civil liberty and democracy.

Civil society groups, including the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), have also condemned Mokwa’s arrest, calling it a violation of his constitutional right to freedom of expression.