By Mustapha Salisu
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has cautioned the Department of State Services (DSS) in Bauchi State against what it described as arbitrary intimidation of citizens over their online opinions, following moves to arrest Mr. Shehu Ahmed Buwayi for criticising the management of Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau (SAZU).
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, CITAD expressed concern over reports that the university’s Vice Chancellor allegedly enlisted the DSS to track down Mr. Buwayi over an article he published about maladministration in the institution.
The article, titled “Sabotage to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad’s Mission to Rescue Sa’adu Zungur University Gadau from Maladministration: Those Behind,” accused the university leadership of corruption, diversion of funds, poor infrastructure and neglect of students’ welfare.
While acknowledging that people may disagree with the tone or content of the article, CITAD stressed that “resorting to state-sponsored intimidation is unacceptable,” adding that citizens must be allowed to express grievances about public institutions without fear of persecution.
“This attempted arrest is part of a worrying pattern of digital repression in Nigeria, where individuals, especially young people, journalists and activists are increasingly harassed for what they post online. In many cases, these actions are justified under vague interpretations of cybercrime laws,” the statement read.
CITAD reminded the DSS and university authorities that Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, just as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ECOWAS court rulings uphold the same right.
The centre described it as “disturbing” that a Vice Chancellor would allegedly engage a security agency for a private grievance, saying this amounted to abuse of office and a misuse of state power.
CITAD called for an immediate halt to any harassment of Mr. Buwayi, an independent investigation into the alleged collaboration between the university management and the DSS, and strict adherence to the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
The organisation also urged the National Human Rights Commission, civil society, journalists and press freedom groups to monitor the case and speak out against what it described as a growing trend of suppressing online speech.
“The strength of a democracy lies not in silencing critics but in addressing their concerns,” the statement concluded.