Amnesty International has condemned the arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa by police in Abuja, describing it as arbitrary and unlawful. The human‑rights organization warned that a growing trend is emerging to silence young Nigerians for expressing their opinions online. According to Amnesty, Salim’s arrest is linked to his use of social media to criticize government officials, a activity that falls within his fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Before his detention, Salim was tracked and monitored by police officers, yet he never received a formal invitation, complaint, or allegation. Despite his lawyers’ attempts to obtain clarification, he was later seized by heavily armed security personnel at a hotel in Abuja and taken to a notorious police detention centre. When his family and lawyers inquired about his whereabouts, the police denied that he was in custody.
Amnesty emphasized that Salim committed no crime and should not be punished for criticizing public officials, as such criticism is protected by his rights. The organization views his detention as a clear abuse of power and a violation of the rule of law. Under international human‑rights law, criticism on social media cannot justify arrest or detention.
The group is calling on Nigerian authorities to release Abubakar Salim immediately and unconditionally. It also expressed concern over increasing threats to young people’s freedom of expression in Nigeria, highlighting the need to protect this fundamental right. Salim’s arrest is the latest incident in a series of events that have raised concerns about the state of freedom of expression in the country. Amnesty International has consistently advocated for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria, and its statement serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding these principles and ensuring that individuals are not unfairly targeted for exercising their right to free speech.
Comments are closed for this story.