Amnesty International has issued a scathing critique of the Nigerian authorities, condemning what it describes as the manipulation of the judiciary to unjustly punish activists Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki and Habibu Ruma. The two activists were arrested and charged after leading a peaceful protest in Katsina against hunger and corruption, sparking international concern over the state of human rights in Nigeria.
In a statement, Amnesty International called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately drop the “bogus charges” against Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, emphasizing that their arrest was baseless and violated their right to peaceful protest. The organization stressed that these activists should never have been arrested in the first place, and their continued detention is a clear violation of their fundamental rights.
“The Nigerian authorities must respect and uphold human rights,” the statement read. “Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki and Habibu Ruma were merely exercising their right to peaceful assembly, and their persecution through the criminal justice system is an affront to justice.”
Amnesty International also called on President Bola Tinubu and Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda to put an end to what it described as an “unlawful clampdown” on peaceful protesters. The organization urged the leaders to ensure that activists like Kabir and Habibu are allowed to carry out their activities without fear of harassment, intimidation, or reprisal.
“The authorities must stop misusing the criminal justice system to suppress dissent and punish activists,” Amnesty International continued. “Instead of focusing on silencing dissenting voices, the government should be listening to them. Peaceful protests are a crucial part of a healthy democracy, and the Nigerian government’s actions in this case are deeply concerning.”
This latest condemnation by Amnesty International adds to the growing pressure on the Nigerian government to address concerns over its handling of peaceful protests and its broader human rights record. The international community has been closely watching the situation, and there are fears that continued repression of peaceful activists could lead to further unrest in the country.
The arrest of Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki and Habibu Ruma comes amid a broader pattern of crackdowns on dissent in Nigeria, where activists and journalists have increasingly found themselves targeted for speaking out against corruption and poor governance. Amnesty International’s statement is a call to action, urging the Nigerian government to reverse course and commit to upholding the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political views.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the Nigerian authorities to see whether they heed the calls for justice and respect for human rights, or whether the crackdown on peaceful dissent will continue unchecked.
