The Take It Back Movement has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Nigerian TikToker, Junaidu Abdullahi, aka Abusalma, who was remanded in prison after calling for widespread protests against the country’s economic hardship.
The human rights organisation on Sunday posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nigerian TikToker, Junaidu ‘Abusalma’ Abdullahi who is remanded in prison after calling for protest against hardship. Free speech and peaceful protest are fundamental rights. #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow.”
According to reports, security agents detained Abusalma on Wednesday and transported him to Abuja, where he was subsequently arraigned in court and remanded in Kano prison.
It was reported that Amnesty International Nigeria had expressed concern over the arrest and detention of Abusalma, for posting a video calling for a mass protest against economic hardship in the country.
The organisation called for his immediate and unconditional release, stating that the government’s primary focus should be on addressing the economic challenges faced by millions of people, rather than stifling critical voices.
Amnesty International Nigeria on Saturday night emphasised that the government’s priority should be to implement urgent and effective measures to alleviate the suffering of those affected by poverty, malnutrition, and starvation, rather than suppressing dissenting voices.
The statement partly reads: “The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release social media activist Junaidu Abdullahi (Abusalma) who was sent to Kano prison for posting a viral Tik Tok video calling for mass peaceful protest over widespread hunger across the country.”
“Hurriedly getting a court to send him to prison and adjourning the case till the next three weeks shows the Nigerian authorities clear intention of punishing Abusalma for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
“Arresting critical voices should not be the priority of the Nigerian authorities at a time millions of people are on the brink of starvation, widespread malnutrition and deep poverty.”
Amnesty International Nigeria highlighted the concerning pattern of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s attempts to suppress dissenting voices and silence critics of the economic hardship gripping the nation.
This trend raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Sahara Reporters
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