Two popular TikTokers have been arrested in Kano for promoting protest to end bad governance in Nigeria.
Security forces have picked up Junaidu Abdullahi aka Abusalma and Bashir Abubakar who have been promoting the protest that has dominated social media in recent weeks.
Abusalma has been reportedly remanded in Kurmawa prison in Kano since last Friday after hurriedly acquiring a court order.
He had earlier, in a viral video, called for mass protests against the current hardship in Nigeria.
He had urged citizens to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and express their grievances over the government’s handling of the economy.
Abusalam also criticized religious leaders who spoke against the protest, stating that they were not among those suffering from the economic hardship.
He had earlier called on youths to pull down any Islamic cleric from the pulpit should he condemn the planned protest in his pulpit.
However, Abusalama later withdraw his statement and apologized to the Islamic scholars.
In an Interview with Freedom Radio, after meeting some Islamic scholars in Kano, Abusalma announced his withdrawal from the protest billed for August 1.
In the same vein, Abubakar, was allegedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for printing and selling “End Bad Governance” T-shirts intended for the upcoming protest in Kano.
The DSS reportedly seized the shirts, which were being distributed to rally support for the protest.
Abubakar was reportedly released and has since reunited with his family.
Amnesty International has condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Abusalma and Abubakar.
It stated that the arrests were unlawful and a deliberate attempt to punish the activists for exercising their freedom of expression.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release social media activist Junaidu Abdullahi (Abusalma) and activist Bashir Abubakar, who were imprisoned in Kano for exercising their right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said in a statement.
“The arrests are a clear attempt to suppress dissenting voices and stifle the right to peaceful protest. The Nigerian government must respect its citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
The “End Bad Governance” campaign has gained traction on social media, with many Nigerians calling for improved governance and transparency from their leaders.
Police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa did not return WikkiTimes enquiry over the matter.
