The Concerned Students’ Movement (CSM), a Nigerian students’ rights group, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a 29-year-old postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Mokwa was reportedly arrested and detained by the Niger State Police Command, allegedly on orders from the state government.
In a statement signed by CSM Coordinator Feranmi Gabriel and Secretary Omolaye Emmanuel, the group condemned the arrest as “a grave abuse of power and an affront to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy,” noting that Mokwa’s only alleged offense was criticizing Governor Umaru Bago on governance, insecurity, and accountability issues.
“From all indications, Mokwa’s only ‘offense’ was exercising his constitutional right to criticize Governor Bago,” the statement said, highlighting that his detention violates Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression.
The group accused the Niger State government of using the police to suppress dissent and intimidate young Nigerians who demand transparency from their leaders.
CSM emphasized that Mokwa’s arrest reflects a troubling trend of state-backed repression against critics and activists across Nigeria. “From the streets to social media, Nigerian youths are being violently suppressed and unjustly targeted, their civic rights undermined by those entrusted with upholding them,” the group said.
CSM called on the Inspector-General of Police to order Mokwa’s release and hold those responsible accountable. They also urged the National Human Rights Commission to investigate what they described as “a blatant abuse of power” and appealed to civil society, student unions, and the public to “rise in solidarity and defend Nigeria’s democratic space.”
The statement concluded: “Criticizing a governor or president, no matter who they are, is not a crime.”
