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CITAD Condemns Arrest of IBBUL Student for Criticizing Niger State Governor, Calls for His Immediate Release

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CITAD

 

 

 

 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) strongly condemns the arrest of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a postgraduate student of the Department of Agricultural Economy and Extension at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), reportedly on the orders of the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for allegedly criticizing the governor on Facebook.

 

Abubakar was arrested at his off-campus lodge in Lapai and subsequently transferred to the State Police Command Headquarters in Minna. The police claimed his arrest was based on allegations of “cyber bullying and cyberstalking,” but it is clear that this is another attempt to criminalize free expression and silence dissenting voices in the state.

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CITAD finds this action deeply disturbing and unconstitutional. The arrest of a student for merely expressing his opinion online is a clear violation of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference.

 

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Under Governor Bago’s administration, Niger State has witnessed a growing pattern of media repression and intolerance toward criticism. In August 2025, the state government suspended Badegi 90.1 FM for alleged criticism of the governor, while journalists such as Yakubu Mustapha of Peoples Daily and Mustapha Nasiru Batsari of Voice of America (VOA) have faced harassment and assault for performing their duties.

 

CITAD therefore calls for the following actions:

The immediate and unconditional release of Abubakar Isah Mokwa.
The Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call the Nigeria Police Force to order and ensure that security agencies do not continue to serve as instruments of political oppression.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate this case and warn officers against the arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens for expressing their opinions in a democratic society.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to respect the principles of free speech and desist from harassing and intimidating activists, journalists, and media houses. Instead, he should focus on addressing developmental challenges and improving governance in Niger State.

Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy. The continued misuse of state power to silence critics and young people undermines democratic governance and civic trust.

 

In a statement by its executive Director Malam YZ Yau CITAD reaffirms its commitment to defending digital rights, promoting online safety, and ensuring that Nigeria remains a country where citizens can freely express their views without fear of intimidation or persecution.

 

 

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Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson Narrowly Escapes as Russian Drone Hits Warsaw-bound Train

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ukrainian and Polish governments have accused Russia of launching drone strikes on the locomotive of a passenger train carrying 206 people headed for Warsaw on Sunday morning.

Ukraine said it forewarned the railway operators of likely drone strikes, adding that no one was hurt.

“The monitoring team gave the train crew advanced warning, and thanks to that, no one was injured,” Ukrainian railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, wrote in social media.

Ukrzaliznytsia said that a diplomatic train conveying VIPs such as a former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson; ex-CIA chief, David Petraeus, passed through the Yagodyn station shortly before the drone strike.

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“Shortly before the locomotive was hit at the Ukrainian-Polish border, a diplomatic train was at Yagodyn station,” Ukrzaliznytsia said. “There were, among others, security advisers from several EU member states and former European leaders on board, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In another train that was at Yagodyn station at the very moment of the attack was former CIA Director David Petraeus.”

The Warsaw-bound train was carrying 206 people, none of whom were Polish citizens.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski described the incident as an escalation.

“This is an escalation, this is another great challenge for Ukraine and for the hypothetical future victims of Russian aggression and this means that we should double our efforts to support victims of aggression,” Mr Sikorski said at a press briefing.

The train was transporting 206 individuals and there was no Polish citizen among

“The train is carrying 206 people. There are no Polish citizens among the passengers,” the operator said online. “After completing customs clearance, it will continue its journey towards Warsaw.”

The former UK leader advocated Russia’s frozen funds in Belgium to be transferred to Ukraine.

“I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning,” Mr Johnson said. “When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than €140 billion ($163 billion) in a Belgian bank account — and about £10 billion (€11.7 billion or 13.5 billion) in London.”

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KANSIEC Chairman Advises Fruits Sellers Association to Modernize Business

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The Fruits Sellers Association, Kano State Chapter, has been advised to develop a strategic plan within a specific timeframe to modernize its business operations.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, gave the advice during a courtesy visit by members of the association to his office.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the fruit business anywhere in the world serves customers from all backgrounds, both rich and poor, due to the importance of fruits in food consumption.

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He maintained that the association should seek recognition across the three tiers of government in order to benefit from government policies and programmes.

The KANSIEC Chairman added that the present administration under the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is transforming Kano into a modern metropolitan city with many parks. He said fruit sellers should secure designated spaces around the corners of flyovers across the city.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Fruits Sellers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Safiyanu Abdullahi, said they visited KANSIEC to seek guidance on how to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections within the association.

Bashir Habib Yahya
Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman
Date: 11/09/2026

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Breaking :Former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Is Dead

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Former Chairman of the peoples Democratic party during Jonathan’s administration Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead .

A credible source in Yola the capital of Adamawa state informed Nigerian Tracker that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur passes on in Abuja.

The source said his body will later be conveyed to Yola the capital of Adamawa state for funeral at the palace of Lamidon Adamawa Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo .

 

Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur (CON) was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and elder statesman who has had a towering impact on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic sectors for over six decades.

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He was widely recognized for his roles as the former Governor of the old Gongola State, the former Minister of Industries, and the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Early Life and EducationDate of Birth: Born on 15 September 1935 in what is today Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Higher Education: He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Honorary Recognition: He was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Traditional Titles: Reflecting his high regional and cultural status, he holds the distinguished traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Career in Public Service & Governance
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA):
Served as General Manager/Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982, managing port congestion and modernizing seaports.

Governor of Old Gongola State: Elected during the Second Republic in 1982, serving a brief term before the December 1983 military coup.

Minister for Industries: Served under General Sani Abacha’s military administration from 1993 to 1995.

Business and Continental Leadership Founder of BHI Holdings (Daddo Group),

Tukur expanded his economic influence across Africa:

Africa Business Roundtable (ABR): Founder, past president, and Life Patron.

NEPAD Business Group: Elected Chairman in March 2002.

International Maritime Stature: First African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

PDP National Chairmanship (2012–2014)Elected PDP National Chairman in March 2012.

 

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