In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Borno State, the Nigerian police have detained Atom Magira, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), following his vocal criticism of the state’s policies under Governor Babagana Zulum. The detention, which occurred late on Sunday night, has stirred outrage among opposition figures, human rights activists, and political analysts, who view it as an attempt to stifle dissent and suppress opposition voices in the state.
Magira, a former gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Governor Zulum’s administration. Sources close to Magira confirmed his detention, with his personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, stating that the NNPP chieftain was taken into custody by officers from the Borno State Police Command. As of Monday morning, there had been no official statement from the police regarding any formal charges against Magira.
According to several sources familiar with the situation, the arrest is directly linked to recent political developments in Borno State. Magira had been at the center of a controversial campaign that called for a political merger among opposition parties in the state, aimed at challenging the dominance of the ruling APC and strengthening the opposition in future elections.
The “YES TO MERGER” campaign, which Magira had vocally supported, saw the appearance of a billboard bearing his image alongside the slogan urging for a merger of political forces in the state. However, the billboard was reportedly destroyed by unidentified individuals, an action that has raised serious concerns about the extent to which the state government is willing to go to silence political opposition. Sources indicate that the destruction of the billboard was an attempt to suppress Magira’s growing influence and his calls for a more robust opposition to Governor Zulum’s policies.
“It is clear that the state government does not want to allow serious opposition to thrive in Borno. Anyone who dares to challenge the governor’s policies is targeted. Magira has been an unrelenting voice for change, and this detention is an extension of the usual tactics used by the government to cripple opposition forces,” a source told Daily Nigerian on condition of anonymity.
For many Borno residents, this incident is not an isolated one but part of a larger trend of heavy-handed tactics employed by the state government to quash opposition. Since 1999, critics claim, any individual or group that challenges the status quo in Borno has faced intimidation, harassment, and sometimes even legal persecution. This claim has been echoed by Magira’s supporters, who view his detention as yet another example of political suppression.
The implications of Magira’s detention are far-reaching. Critics argue that it signals a concerning trend of shrinking political space and the erosion of democracy in Borno, a state that has faced numerous challenges, including insurgency and internal displacements. They claim that under the current administration, political opponents are not only subjected to physical threats but also to systematic efforts to undermine their credibility and influence within the state.
Magira’s detention also raises questions about the independence of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. Despite being a chieftain of a prominent opposition party, the actions of the Borno State Police have not been publicly justified. This has left many wondering whether the police are acting as an arm of the state government or if they are carrying out independent investigations into what is perceived as political dissent.
Governor Zulum, who has long maintained a tight grip on political power in the state, has yet to publicly comment on Magira’s detention. However, his administration has frequently been accused of using the machinery of the state to suppress political dissent. While Zulum is praised by some for his handling of security and humanitarian issues, particularly in the fight against Boko Haram, others argue that his policies have exacerbated political polarization and stifled meaningful opposition.
Political analysts suggest that the Zulum administration may be using the police and other state institutions to maintain its grip on power ahead of upcoming elections. In the past, such political maneuvers have led to an environment where only a few political players dominate the state’s political landscape. Magira’s detention, therefore, is seen as part of this larger strategy to neutralize any political threats ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, calls for Magira’s immediate release have come from both local and national political figures. The NNPP, through its leadership, has condemned the detention, calling it an attack on free speech and political participation. The party has promised to take legal action if Magira is not released promptly, urging international observers to pay attention to what it describes as an alarming trend of political repression in Borno State.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also weighed in on the matter, condemning the arrest as an infringement on Magira’s constitutional rights. NBA officials have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the detention, demanding that the police provide clarity on the charges, if any, against Magira.
