Amnesty International has issued a scathing rebuke of the Borno State government and police authorities following the arrest and detention of 19-year-old Haruna Muhammed, popularly known as Abale Borno, over a viral social media post criticizing the dilapidated state of public schools in the region.
Haruna was reportedly apprehended by officers of the Borno State Police Command on April 2, 2025, shortly after his post gained traction online. His post, though critical, resonated with many Nigerians who have long voiced concerns about the quality of education and public infrastructure in Borno.
In a statement on Friday, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, condemned the arrest as an appalling and unlawful attack on the right to free speech.
“Amnesty International condemns the Borno State government and police for the unlawful arrest and detention of Haruna Muhammed. This is a blatant violation of human rights and a shocking display of state-sponsored intimidation,” Sanusi said.
According to the rights watchdog, the teenager is facing charges of “defaming and degrading the personality of the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum” — a move Amnesty described as a “brazen abuse of power” and “a dangerous attempt to criminalise dissent.”
> “Targeting a young citizen for simply voicing a critical opinion on the state of public schools is draconian. Responding with arrest and detention sends a chilling message that criticism of public officials is a crime,” the group said.
Sanusi stressed that the right to freedom of expression — including criticism of government officials — is a cornerstone of any functional democracy and must not be trampled upon.
> “The right to express one’s opinion, even when it is negative, uncomfortable, or provocative, is protected under international law. Free expression is not a crime,” he asserted.
Amnesty International has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Haruna Muhammed, calling the arrest part of a “disturbing pattern of silencing critical voices under the guise of law enforcement.”
Haruna’s case is not isolated. In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming rise in arrests tied to alleged defamation or criticism of public figures — a worrying trend that has sparked fears of growing authoritarianism under a democratic guise.
One high-profile case involved human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State, where he faced charges of criminal libel and cyberstalking. Farotimi’s “offence”? Statements in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, where he alleged that renowned legal luminary Afe Babalola had influenced the Supreme Court. His arrest drew sharp condemnation from civil society groups, who decried the police’s apparent weaponization to settle personal vendettas.
Similarly, in December 2024, activist Olamide Thomas was arrested for allegedly making disparaging remarks on social media about Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi. She was charged under the controversial Cybercrimes Act — a law critics argue is increasingly being used to muzzle online dissent.
Also in December, popular TikToker Seaking was arrested shortly after releasing a satirical video lambasting President Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and IGP Egbetokun. The arrest came after a statement by ACP Muyiwa Adejobi warned that online insults could now be treated as criminal offences — a remark that sparked outrage across social media.
As the Borno government faces intensifying scrutiny over Haruna Muhammed’s arrest, Amnesty International and other rights organisations are urging Nigerians not to remain silent in the face of creeping repression.
“This is a fight for the soul of our democracy,” Sanusi declared. “If young people can no longer question their leaders without fear of jail, then we are fast becoming a society governed by fear, not by law.”
The question now is whether the Nigerian government — at all levels — will listen to the growing chorus of voices demanding justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
PIONEER NEWS 