CSOs condemn use of police to harass journalists by Kano Commissioner
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Kano has condemned the alleged harassment of two journalists over a published opinion article, describing the action as an attempt to intimidate the press and suppress freedom of expression.
In a letter addressed to the Kano State Commissioner of Police, the League of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State revealed that the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, lodged a complaint demanding the arrest of Buhari Abba Rano, an online publisher, and Isma’il Auwal, a freelance journalist and member of the Kano Civil Society Movement.
According to the letter, the complaint was linked to an opinion article titled “Dear Gov. Yusuf, Beware of Kano Information Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya,” authored by Auwal and published on February 24, 2025. The coalition questioned why only Rano, the publisher, was singled out for police questioning.
The League disclosed that Rano, an editor with Kano Times, was detained for hours on March 24 at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) at the Kano Police Command before being released on bail. Auwal, on the other hand, has been summoned by the police for questioning on March 25.
The League of Civil Society Organizations, which includes over 40 prominent groups and activists, warned against the growing trend of public officials using security agencies to intimidate journalists and activists.
“In recent years, journalists and civil activists across Nigeria have faced arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and harassment simply for carrying out their constitutionally legitimate duty to inform the public,” the letter read.
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The coalition emphasized that such actions violate Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the press, as well as international human rights treaties Nigeria has ratified.
“It is deeply concerning that public officials, rather than engaging in dialogue or legal discourse, resort to using state security agencies to suppress dissenting voices. This is an abuse of power and an outright threat to democracy,” said Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama, the League’s convener.
The civil society groups called on the Kano State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the journalists’ fundamental rights and legal protections are upheld.
“We call on the police to act independently and ensure that freedom of the press is respected. The right to hold and express opinions is fundamental in any democratic society,” the coalition stated.
They also urged the Kano State Government and security agencies to respect press freedom and refrain from undue interference in journalistic activities.
“Journalists should not be harassed or persecuted simply for reporting facts or expressing opinions. We strongly condemn this trend in Kano and across Nigeria,” the letter added.
The League disclosed that it had reported the matter to international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
The letter was signed by Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama and endorsed by several notable figures, including Dr. Y. Z. Ya’u (CITAD), Comrade Auwalu Musa Rafsanjani (CISLAC), and Hajiya Amina Hanga (Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative).
The development raises fresh concerns over press freedom in Nigeria, as journalists continue to face threats and persecution for their work.
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