Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly criticized the recent detention of a man in the nation's capital, labeling it an arbitrary act that infringes on fundamental human rights.
Details of the Arrest and Detention
Abubakar Salim Musa was apprehended by police officers from the Gusau Central Police Command on Wednesday, 8 January 2026. According to Amnesty's statement released on X, the arrest was directly linked to his activity on social media platforms, where he had engaged in what the organization describes as legitimate criticism of government officials.
The rights group emphasized that Salim received no formal invitation or communication regarding any complaint against him prior to the incident. He was reportedly taken from the Sounders Suites in Apo Legislative Quarters, Zone E, Abuja, by heavily armed officers and transported to the Abbatoir detention centre.
This facility has a notorious history, with past allegations of torture and human rights abuses. In a disturbing turn, when Salim's family and legal representatives visited the centre to locate him, police authorities denied he was being held there.
A Clear Violation of Rights and a Broader Pattern
Amnesty International was unequivocal in its assessment, stating that Abubakar Salim Musa committed no crime. The organization insists his arrest represents a clear abuse of police power and demonstrates contempt for the rule of law.
"Under international human rights law, the mere fact that a social media post is considered unpalatable by any government official or any public figure is not sufficient to justify arbitrary detention by the police," the group argued.
The case has sparked wider concerns about a shrinking civic space in Nigeria. Amnesty connected Salim's ordeal to a troubling trend targeting the country's youth. "A lot of young Nigerians have come under attack, ranging from threats to arrests, illegal detention, and harassment, all for simply expressing their opinions online. This is unlawful and unacceptable," the statement read.
Calls for Immediate Action and Release
The human rights watchdog has issued a direct appeal to the Nigerian authorities. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of Abubakar Salim Musa.
"No one should be punished for criticising a government official," Amnesty declared. The organization is calling for concrete steps to safeguard citizens' rights and to ensure that all law enforcement agencies operate strictly within legal boundaries, with full respect for human dignity and the right to freedom of expression.
