Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and detention of a 19-year-old student, Haruna Muhammed, also known as Abale Borno, by the Borno State government and police. Haruna was detained on April 2, 2025, over a social media post in which he criticized the state of public schools in Borno, calling attention to the poor condition of education in the region.
Haruna’s post, which quickly went viral, highlighted the lack of basic infrastructure in schools, alleging that the Borno State government under Governor Prof. Umara Babagana Zulum had failed to address the needs of the education sector. In response, the state police arrested him for allegedly defaming the governor, accusing him of “ridiculing and degrading the personality of the governor.”
In a statement issued by Amnesty International, the organization expressed its deep concern over the arrest, calling it a clear violation of human rights and an attack on the right to free speech. Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, described the detention as a “brazen abuse of power.”
“This arrest is a clear and utter disregard for the rule of law. The government, in collaboration with the police, is charging the teenager for defaming and degrading the personality of the governor,” Sanusi said. “Targeting individuals for simply expressing critical opinions on social media is not just wrong; it is a dangerous precedent in a democratic society.”
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of Haruna Muhammed, urging the Borno State government to end its “disturbing crackdown on dissent.” The organization warned that the suppression of free speech through arbitrary detention is an unacceptable violation of fundamental human rights.
In its statement, Amnesty emphasized that free expression is a cornerstone of any democratic society and that people should have the right to voice their opinions, even if those opinions are critical of the government. “The right to freedom of expression protects the ability of individuals to express critical opinions, even if their messages might be considered negative or disturbing,” Sanusi added.
Haruna’s arrest is the latest in a series of incidents across Nigeria where individuals have faced legal action for posting critical or satirical content about government officials on social media. This growing trend of using the criminal justice system to target critics has raised alarms about the erosion of freedom of expression in the country.
In recent months, there have been a number of similar arrests involving individuals accused of defaming prominent figures. One such case involved Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer who was arrested in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State on charges of defamation and cyberstalking. Farotimi’s arrest was connected to statements he made in his book, *Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System*, where he accused a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, of compromising the Supreme Court. His arrest sparked widespread criticism, with activists accusing the police of using the legal system to settle personal grievances.
Another high-profile case occurred in December 2024, when activist Olamide Thomas was arrested for allegedly making insulting comments on social media about Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and other public figures, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi. Thomas was charged with cyberbullying under the Cybercrimes Act, an accusation that many viewed as an overreach in policing online speech.
Similarly, in December 2024, popular TikToker Seaking was arrested shortly after posting a video criticizing President Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Inspector-General of Police Egbetokun. The video referenced comments made by the police spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who had earlier warned that online insults were criminal offenses. Seaking’s arrest raised concerns about the policing of social media and the potential stifling of free expression.
Amnesty International’s criticism of the Borno State government is not an isolated case. The organization has consistently highlighted the growing trend of using legal actions to suppress dissent, especially when it involves online or social media criticism of government officials. According to human rights groups, such actions violate international standards on freedom of expression, which are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The detention of Haruna Muhammed for merely posting his views on social media is seen as an attempt to intimidate and silence young people who may wish to voice their concerns about government policies or the state of affairs in their regions. By cracking down on social media expression, critics argue that the Borno State government is undermining the democratic values of free speech and accountability.
This incident is not only a violation of Haruna’s rights but also a disturbing indication of the increasing control the Nigerian government and its state actors are exerting over online discourse. In a country where social media has become a key platform for citizens to voice their opinions and hold government officials accountable, such actions may have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression.
The arrest of Haruna Muhammed also raises questions about the role of the police in Nigeria’s growing efforts to suppress free speech. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that the police and other law enforcement agencies are being used to target and intimidate critics, stifling the very essence of democracy. The recent arrests of individuals for online speech and social media posts highlight the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the protection of public order, a balance that critics argue has been tipped in favor of silencing dissent.
Human rights advocates are calling for reforms in Nigeria’s approach to freedom of expression, urging the government to uphold the rights of citizens to express their opinions freely, without fear of reprisal. Amnesty International has strongly urged the Nigerian authorities to respect the basic principles of free speech and to immediately release Haruna Muhammed and any other individuals who have been detained for expressing critical opinions.
As Nigeria moves forward in its democratic journey, the growing trend of silencing critics and curbing free expression on social media remains a major concern. The ability of citizens to hold their leaders accountable is essential for the health of any democracy, and the crackdown on individuals like Haruna Muhammed serves as a warning that the right to speak freely is increasingly under threat in the country.
In the meantime, activists and organizations like Amnesty International are calling for broader public awareness and international attention to protect the rights of individuals to freely express their views without fear of arrest, intimidation, or harassment.
The case of Haruna Muhammed serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in Nigeria and the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the rights of citizens to speak truth to power.
