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NGO Demands Respect Of Digital Right For Nigerians

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Ali Sabo addressing the press

 

By Ozumi Abdul

Centre For Information Technology And Development (CITAD) on Friday drew the attention of the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police force for what it regarded as the police continued arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens for exercising their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

While speaking during a press conference in Kano State, the organization’s program officer Mallam Ali Sabo said It is important to state clearly that section (IV) sub section (c) of the Nigerian constitutions has prohibits any security agency from unlawful arrest, incarceration or detention of the citizens without following due process.

He noted that what the country is witnessing today is totally in contrast with what the constitution stated, the act he said if not properly checked would throw the country into a lawless anarchical state.

“Gentlemen of the press what we are witnessing today in Nigeria is clearly contrary to what the Nigerian constitution has provided and these acts by the Nigerian security agencies if not checked and addressed will flung the country into anarchy and will negate the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended”.

Sabo recalled that in the months of November and December of 2022, CITAD organized a press conference which he said was geared towards reminding the authority of the negative implications the unlawful arrests of citizen by security agents portend, and also recalling that in the month of November of 2022, a 500 level student of Federal University of Dutse, Aminu Adamu was arrested by the police on the order of the First Lady for exercising his fundamental rights.

Sabo said in the months of November and December we drew the attention of the Nigerian authorities about the negative implications of these arbitrary arrests and detentions of the citizens to the country’s image in the comity of nations .

 

 

“Gentlemen of the press, you may recalled that in the month of November, 2022, the Nigeria Police on the orders of the wife of the president arrested and detained a 500 level student of Federal University, Dutse, Aminu Adamu for merely excising his rights online. He was held for days without being allowed access to his family or his lawyers. Also on the 11th of December, 2022, a minor named Umar Garba was arrested in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni. The boy was held captive by the Nigeria Police for more than two weeks without a court order or any arrest warrant. Similarly, the boy was not taken to court.

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“These impunity being excised by the Nigerian politicians has transformed to another level to the extent that citizens are being deprived their fundamental human rights to speak about things that concern them and their country and interrogate their representatives without being harassed by the security agencies. These cases have continued to grow spontaneously as many cases are being reported every day and in every corner of the country which is worrisome and threat to our democracy. Another and more recent case we have received is the arrest and detention of Yau Saeed, a Freelance Journalist and founder of Y2S Online Television based in Yola that was arrested by the Nigeria Police, FCT Command by the order of Senator Elisha Ishiaku Abbo, Senator representing Adamawa North for excising his rights as citizen and journalist since 27th of December, 2022. The most unfortunate thing is that the Nigeria Police has refused the detained journalist access to his wife, lawyers and family.

“These arbitrary arrests of the citizens are against the Nigerian constitution and international covenant of human and people’s rights. Section IV of the Nigerian Constitution has clearly stated that:

i. Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with section (1) (C) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within reasonable time. The expression of reasonable time under this section means:
a. In case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of 40 kilometres, a period of one day; and
b. In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable

It is significant to know that allowing citizens to express themselves and constructively criticize leaders are cardinal to democracy and no democracy can grow where those at the helm of the affairs of the country are using the country’s security agencies to clamp down on dissents and activists”, he said.

He submitted that the collusion between security agencies and politicians to harass and intimidate citizens for freely expressing their opinions is a serious attack to the country’s democracy.

Sabo added that democracy strives by the maintenance of a free market of opinions and availability of information that allow citizens to make informed choices in exercising their civic responsibility.

He added that when journalists are seized, detained, and tortured because they have exposed the dirty underbelly of some politicians.

He quickly reminded the authority it was police brutality that to the 2020 ENDSARS pogrom where many lives and properties were lost, warning that such mistake shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.

“We must also not forget that it was the brazen police brutality that led to the EndSars protest with all its attendance consequences to the nation. We cannot afford to continue to repeat this sad experience. Such illegal and unconstitutional acts and conduct by police and security agencies bread the ground and context for anarchy to set in which is of not good to anybody”.

Sabo then called on Nigeria Police and its sisters’ security agencies to be neural in conducting their duties and should not allow themselves to be used as rent-organizations by politicians to shield their despicable acts and conduct.

He also enjoined security agencies to respect the Digital Right of the citizens as they are the logical and legitimate extension of our fundamental human rights which are protected in our constitution and all the international instruments on human to which Nigeria is a signatory and the country is duty bound to accord the same respect to rights online as rights offline, as well calling on The Nigeria Police to desist fromk arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they are following due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens.

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To Support the Family in This Difficult Time, Hon. Bichi Donates ₦100 Million to Late Colleague’s Family

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Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and representative of Bichi Federal Constituency, has donated ₦100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) to the family of his late colleague, Hon. Barrister Muhammad Hassan.

The condolence visit, led by Hon. Bichi and members of the Appropriations Committee, was held in Abuja following the passing of Hon. Hassan last Friday night at the age of 62. The late lawmaker, who represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, succumbed after a prolonged illness. His death has drawn widespread mourning from fellow legislators, political associates, and constituents who hailed him as a dedicated public servant committed to the welfare of his people.

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During the visit, prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, with colleagues asking Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, show him mercy, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. The atmosphere was deeply emotional as lawmakers reflected on his contributions to governance and his enduring legacy.

Hon. Bichi’s donation of ₦100 million was described as a significant show of compassion, underscoring the bond among members of the House of Representatives and their commitment to supporting one another in times of grief. The gesture is expected to provide relief to the bereaved family as they navigate this difficult period.

The late Hon. Hassan is survived by three wives and 18 children, leaving behind a large family and a legacy of service. As condolences continue to pour in, prayers have been extended for strength and comfort to his family, colleagues, and the people of Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency.

 

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Borno Airstrike: President Tinubu Meets Service Chiefs

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a security meeting with service chiefs, intelligence heads, and the Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at about 2:00 pm on Monday, is the first item on the President’s agenda since his return to Abuja from Bayelsa State on Friday.

The emergency session comes amid heightened security concerns following the United States’ authorisation of non-emergency embassy staff to leave Abuja and a controversial military airstrike in Borno State that killed over 100 civilians.

Those in attendance at the ongoing meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is also attending the closed-door session at the Presidential Villa.

On April 8, 2026, the US State Department authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency government employees and family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

The decision placed 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation, the highest risk category, adding Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba to the list.

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The US highlighted threats from Islamist insurgents in the Northeast, criminal gangs in the Northwest, and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil-producing regions.

The embassy said visa appointments in Abuja had been suspended, though the Lagos consulate continues to provide routine and emergency services.

The Federal Government said the travel alert was guided by US internal protocols and did not reflect the overall security situation across Nigeria.

“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” Minister Mohammed Idris stated.

The security meeting also comes hours after a Nigerian Air Force strike targeting Boko Haram terrorists hit Jilli Market along the Borno-Yobe border on Saturday, April 11, 2026, killing over 100 civilians, including children, and injuring many others.

Amnesty International cited survivors as saying at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike, with some reports putting the death toll as high as 200.

The Air Force acknowledged conducting “precision mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations” in the Jilli axis of Borno State but made no reference to hitting a civilian market.

However, the Presidency defended the operation.

Speaking with Bloomberg earlier on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said, “The market was a legitimate military target because it has been turned into a logistics and trading hub by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.”

Amnesty International condemned the strike, calling for an independent investigation and describing it as evidence of “the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”

Military air raids have killed at least 500 civilians since 2017, according to multiple reports, with failures in intelligence gathering and coordination between ground forces and air assets cited as contributing factors.

Nigeria is battling multiple security threats across its six geopolitical zones, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest and North-Central regions, and separatist violence in the Southeast.

Major attacks in 2026 include the February 3 massacre in Woro, Kwara State, where over 100 people were killed and 176 kidnapped, and multiple mass abductions across northern states.

Amnesty International reported that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026, though the Police disputed the figure as unverified.

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ADC: Islamic scholar joins 2027 Zamfara Gov’ship race

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A popular Islamic scholar, Dr Abdulmuddalib Muhammad Auwal has joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara State and declared for Governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dr Auwal who formally registered with ADC on Sunday at the state APC Secretariat was supported by the Chairman ADC Tudun Wada Ward.

He was received and welcome by ADC leaders and stakeholders in Tudun Wada Ward and Gusau LGA and large crowd of the party members.

Dr Auwal said he joined ADC because of good ideologies and manifestos of the party
“I have personal desire to contribute to ensure good governance tackling security challenges, addressing poverty and vulnerability in Zamfara.
“I have blueprints to serve as framework, and strategic plans on Education, Health, insecurity, Poverty reduction, women and youths empowerment.
“The ADC’s ideology aligns with my visions to rescue Zamfara from poor governance,” he said.

According to him, “if we are given the mandate, we would change the Zamfara fortune to the promised land through the ADC”.

He described injustice and poor governance as the yardsticks of the increase of security challenges in Zamfara

One of the main reasons for the ongoing escalation of the issues with insecurities challenges destroying Zamfara state and other places is as results of neglect, injustice and political aspirations that have eaten deeply around some elites in the society.

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We are aware that injustice and poor governance by the certain group of leaders entrusted with governance are becoming too burden and a yardstick of the increase of the insecurity challenges, particularly in Zamfara state that have become a feasting ground of banditry.

“Poverty and injustice are the main reasons for the ongoing security challenges in Zamfara.”

“Also the lingering insecurity challenges in Zamfara is due to o poor governance.

“In Zamfara we have various potentialities to address future the challenges of insecurity and poverty,” he explained.

He further said, “We came up with good blueprints to ensure sustainable security of our dear state through various policies and programs to tackle poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, particularly among youths”

“We are going to create more job opportunities, through agriculture and economic entrepreneurship development for our teeming to have better alternatives than criminal activities.

“You know, Zamfara is blessed with immense agricultural potentials, infact our motto is “Farming is Our Pride”, but due to lack of good governance, we failed to develop such potentials in to reality for the development of our dear state.

He noted that Zamfara, we have comparative advantages in agriculture due to a large fertile land but not being utilize to address youths unemployment, poverty among our people especially those affected by the insecurity.

“On security sector, I will come up with good strategies to tackle insecurity affecting our communities.

“I have passion about agriculture, if we are voted I will initiate various policies and programs to transform irrigation farming in the state to enhance food security in the state.

“In each of the 14 LGAs in the state, I will build a dam for our teeming population to go in to food and cash crops production.

“One of my blueprints is addressing youth unemployment through establishment of companies by fostering entrepreneurship development and vocational training for our teeming unemployed youths.

“This is to change mindsets of our people, infact we want to Zamfara people to become job providers not job seekers- Scholar explained.
In their seperate remarks, the ADC leaders in Tudun Wada Ward and Gusau LGA expressed gratitude for the Governorship aspirant for joining the party.
They assured him that the party would provide an enabling environment for him and his teeming supporters

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