<p><!-- BEGIN THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p> ;</p><div class="Cnrw281f" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p> ;</p><div class="6xa5aau1" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) strongly condemns the arrest of Kwara-based blogger Ajala Adeshina Shuaib, popularly known as Manjala, over allegations of defamation. This deeply troubling development reflects a growing and dangerous pattern in Nigeria where politicians deploy security agencies to settle personal disputes and silence critical voices.</p>
<p>According to reports, Shuaib was arrested following a petition by Tunji Buhari Sulyman, a legislative aide to Senator Saliu Mustapha. CITAD views this as a blatant misuse of law enforcement powers and a direct assault on constitutionally protected freedom of expression.</p>
<p>Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression. The continuous harassment, arrest, and detention of bloggers, journalists, and activists for merely expressing their views is a serious breach of our democratic values and an affront to the principles of open governance.</p><div class="ULF79SoI" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block; text-align:center;"

 data-ad-layout="in-article"

 data-ad-format="fluid"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="6550225277"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>The Nigeria Police Force is not a private militia for politicians. Its constitutional mandate is to protect lives and property, not to intimidate citizens or pursue political vendettas. At a time when insecurity has become a daily reality, with bandits, kidnappers, insurgents, and violent groups terrorizing communities across the country, it is shocking that police officers are being deployed to arrest a blogger over a Facebook post. The police should be part of the architecture to secure Nigerians, rather than waste public resources on illegal efforts to protect politicians from being asked to account for their actions and deeds.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad1" id="quads-ad1" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>Arbitrary arrests such as this one discourage civic participation, silence independent journalism, and weaken public confidence in institutions meant to serve all citizens. Using the police to criminalize criticism or opinion sets a dangerous precedent and creates an environment where accountability becomes impossible.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>CITAD is particularly concerned about the chilling effect this trend has on: journalists and media workers, digital rights advocates, youth and online content creators, and human rights defenders. Democracy cannot flourish where dissent is treated as a crime.</p>
<p>CITAD therefore calls on the Nigeria Police Force to:</p>
<p>1. Immediately end the misuse of the police for the personal or political interests of public officials.<br />
2. Focus on its constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property and combating rising insecurity.<br />
3. Release Ajala Shuaib unconditionally and refrain from further unlawful intimidation of citizens exercising their rights.<br />
4. Should advise Mr. Tunji Buhari Sulyman that if he feels defamed, the courts are the right place for him to seek for redress and not seek for self-help through illegal use of the Police.</p>
<p>We further call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to:</p>
<p>1. Take decisive action to stop the growing abuse of state security agencies for personal and political scores.<br />
2. Direct the Inspector General of Police to issue and enforce clear guidelines against the arrest of citizens over defamation or political disagreement, as well as the personalization of the police to shield politicians by stifling legislative criticism.<br />
3. Protect Nigeria’s civic and digital spaces by ensuring that security agencies do not become tools of oppression.</p>
<p>CITAD stands firmly with journalists, digital creators, activists, and all Nigerians who speak truth to power, and will not allow intimidation to silence advocacy for a safer, freer, and more democratic Nigeria and for citizens to freely express their opinions using social media.</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p><!-- END THEIA POST SLIDER -->
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad3" id="quads-ad3" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>
</p>
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-format="autorelaxed"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="1004305389"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.95 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad5" id="quads-ad5" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>


