CITAD Condemns Arrest of Two Kano Youths Over Facebook Post
…Demands Immediate Release, Respect for Digital Rights
By Mustapha Salisu
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned the arrest of two young residents of Tofa Local Government Area in Kano State for allegedly criticizing the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Yakubu Addis, on Facebook.
The individuals, identified as Murtala Garba Doka and Shamsu Safiyanu Lambu, were reportedly arrested on Monday on the orders of the chairman after they posted about the uncompleted Lambu–Banki–Yarimawa–Jakata road project, said to have been approved by the state government at a cost of ₦240 million.
According to reports, the two youths were first detained at the Tofa Divisional Police Station before being transferred to the Kano State Police Command Headquarters in Bompai for further investigation. Their arrest has since sparked tension within the local community.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Engr. Y.Z. Ya’u, CITAD described the arrest as part of a “growing and disturbing pattern of intimidation, harassment, and unlawful detention of citizens and social media users” for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“Arresting individuals for expressing opinions on public projects is a gross violation of their digital rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory,” the statement read.
CITAD warned that the persistent intimidation of citizens for online expression threatens public trust in democracy and undermines the principles of accountability and transparency in governance.
The organization therefore called for the immediate and unconditional release of the two detainees and urged the Kano State Police Command to desist from being used as a tool for political persecution.
It also appealed to public officials to embrace accountability and constructive criticism as vital components of democratic governance, while encouraging social media users to exercise their rights responsibly in the interest of transparency and civic engagement.
CITAD further urged the Kano State Government to caution local government officials against viewing public criticism as hostility, emphasizing that such feedback remains “a strong pillar of democracy that distinguishes civilian rule from military authoritarianism.”
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting online freedoms, the organization stated that it would continue to promote digital rights, freedom of expression, and civic participation as part of efforts to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
