Amnesty International has condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of Buhari Abba Rano, an online journal publisher, and Isma’il Auwal, a freelance journalist, by the Kano State Police Command, reportedly acting on the orders of the Kano State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Waiya.
Buhari Abba, an online editor with Kano Times, was invited by the Kano State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) for questioning over an opinion article published by Kano Times. He was reportedly detained for several hours without formal charges. The article in question is believed to have been critical of the Kano State Government, touching on matters of public interest.
Amnesty International described the detention and planned charges of defamation against the journalists as a direct attack on freedom of expression and an attempt to stifle dissent. “Expressing a critical opinion on a matter of public interest can never be a crime,” Amnesty stated, adding that the authorities’ actions reflect an alarming intolerance for opposing views and criticism.
The human rights organization further stressed that the decision to prosecute the journalists for defamation is unacceptable and indicative of a broader trend of shrinking press freedom and unlawful suppression of independent journalism in Nigeria. Amnesty warned that such actions could create a climate of fear among journalists and discourage investigative reporting, which is essential for holding public officials accountable.
Amnesty International called on the Kano State Government and the Nigeria Police to immediately cease any efforts to punish Buhari Abba Rano and Isma’il Auwal for their journalistic work. “The Kano State Government and the Nigeria Police must uphold their legal and constitutional obligation to protect and facilitate the right to freedom of expression,” the statement read. “The safety and human rights of both journalists must be guaranteed, and any charges or legal actions intended to intimidate them should be dropped immediately.”
The incident has sparked concern among media professionals and press freedom advocates, who have described the targeting of the journalists as part of a growing pattern of hostility toward the press in Nigeria. Media rights groups have urged the Nigerian government to reinforce protections for journalists and ensure that law enforcement agencies do not become tools for political persecution.
This case highlights the increasing tension between the government and independent media in Nigeria, raising questions about the country’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and protecting fundamental human rights.
