Amnesty International is deeply concerned that police @PoliceNG are still seeking to arbitrarily arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer on Mr. Ibrahim Masari — an aide of President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT. This is a clear case of disregard for due process and abuse of power.
Even though both the station manager Charle Abah and the security guard arrested on Friday 11 Sept. 2026 were released, but Zainab is still being hunted.
On Friday 11 Sept. police forced their way into the radio station. Attacking JKD Radio/Television Kaduna is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job. Government of Nigeria is increasingly making it difficult for the media report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.
The targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives. No government official — no matter his status is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public.
An attack on the media is an attack on freedom.
Apart from declaring a journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi wanted, on the orders of Mr. Ibrahim Masari — an aide of President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT, the Nigeria police @PoliceNG are still unlawfully detaining JKD Radio/Television station’s General Manager, Charles Abah, as well as a security guard: https://t.co/Gnu83ZxIKB
Tinubu’s government has sent police to arrest Arewa journalist for asking questions on the source of the millions they are giving to their political Almajiri scholars like Yahaya Jingir. The same questions raised by them Rufai & Dr Abbati on Arise News when the news was trending. Same actions, different consequences. The northern one is under arrest, the southern ones are going scott free. Tomorrow, they will bribe northern almajiri scholars to tell Arewa people to vote them because they are “Muslim Muslim”.
Dear @batten_von, please help Nigerians escalate this.
Bola @officialABAT is already rigging 2027 election by stifling opposition voices.
He’s been detaining @elrufai, the best brain of the opposition, for 7 months over unproven allegations.
Refused to sentence or release him.
Nigeria: Police Declares Radio Presenter Wanted
Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful and outrageous invasion of JKD TV Hamada Radio Network located at Millennium City Kaduna by a contingent of heavily armed police. Both the General Manager Mr. Charles Abah and a security guard were arbitrarily arrested during the raid.
The incident which happened today 11 September 2026 demonstrates President Bola Tinubu government’s utter disregard for freedom of expression and contempt for media freedom. Government of Nigeria is increasingly making it difficult for the media report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.
Police said that they had ‘instructions’ to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi, regarding a video explainer produced by JKD Radio & Television on Mr. Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs. Kaduna state police command had already declared Zainab Yabagi wanted.
Attacking JKD Radio/Television is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job.
No government official — no matter his status — is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public.
This is clear case of abuse power. Such targeting of independent media is solely aimed at depriving people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.
An attack on the media is an attack on freedom.
Responding to:
To all professionals (and retirees) in the film, television, theatre, entertainment, and arts world, join the challenge to post a photo of yourself in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession.
@tysonphotoo My name is Yusuf Mamman, and I am currently based in Nigeria 🇳🇬. I'm a wildlife photographer and portrait photographer. This is my instagram page Wonders of Nigeria I explore beautiful places across the country.
The Ghanian Presidential inauguration was a spectacle and an honour to capture. From the crowd to the newly sworn President John Mahama. Witnessed history today for the first time one term President came back to power.