By Staff Reporter
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest and detention of Abubakar Salim Musa, describing the action as a blatant violation of freedom of expression and a disturbing abuse of police power.
In a statement, the rights group revealed that Salim had been under covert surveillance by officers attached to the Gusau Central Police Command following his lawful expression of opinions on social media. Amnesty said no formal invitation, petition, or criminal allegation was ever communicated to him, despite the sustained monitoring of his movements.
Matters reportedly took a dramatic turn while Salim was in Abuja. According to Amnesty, heavily armed security operatives tracked him to Sounders Suites in Apo Legislative Quarters, Zone E, where he was forcefully arrested and taken away.
He was allegedly detained at the notorious Abbatoir police detention centre, a facility long linked with reports of torture and ill-treatment. Amnesty said that when Salim’s family and legal representatives arrived at the detention centre seeking answers, police officers flatly denied that he was in their custody.
“This arrest is unlawful and unacceptable,” Amnesty International said, insisting that Salim committed no crime and was targeted solely for criticising a government official online. “No one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”
The organisation stressed that under international human rights law, the mere fact that a social media post is considered offensive or uncomfortable by a public official does not justify arrest or detention.
Amnesty further warned that the clampdown reflects a growing threat to young Nigerians who use digital platforms to express opinions, noting a troubling pattern of harassment, intimidation, arrests, and illegal detention linked to online expression.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa,” the group said, adding that the continued detention of citizens for peaceful expression shows “contempt for the rule of law.”
The case has renewed concerns over shrinking civic space in Nigeria, as rights groups warn that silencing critics through force only deepens public mistrust and undermines democratic principles.
About The Author
