Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a strong demand to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of social media commentator Abubakar Salim Musa from Keffi Prison.
A Pattern of Repression, Not an Isolated Case
In a statement made on Monday, January 12, 2026, via his official X handle, @atiku, the former presidential candidate condemned the arrest as a stark example of what he termed the repressive nature of the current government. Atiku, who leads the ADC coalition, asserted that Abubakar's only crime was his consistent online criticism of Nigeria's worsening security situation, particularly in the northern regions and across the nation.
He framed the incident as part of a broader, alarming trend. "Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident," Atiku stated. He claimed that numerous Nigerians, including journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers, and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have faced arrest, assault, and intimidation by security agencies simply for criticizing the President or his family members.
Amnesty International Raises Alarm Over 'Sham Trial'
Atiku's intervention was prompted by a comment from Amnesty International Nigeria, which reported that Abubakar Salim Musa had been remanded at Keffi Prison. The human rights organization warned of plans to subject him to a "sham trial based on bogus charges." The court hearing for the detained commentator is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
In his call to action, Atiku emphasized the constitutional rights of citizens. "I therefore call on the Tinubu administration to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and all others detained for exercising their constitutional rights," he declared.
Public Outcry and Divided Reactions on Social Media
The detention has sparked significant public debate and concern online, with many Nigerians expressing fear over the state of free speech. A social media user with the handle @Mancross argued, "You don't fix insecurity by arresting those who talk about it. You fix it by doing your job." Another, @realChrisIheme, simply demanded, "Abubakar Salim should be released now. Everyone has the freedom of speech."
However, the reaction was not universally supportive of the detained critic. A user named @abdull_im suggested that Abubakar was not merely a concerned citizen but a "paid media aide" or influencer for the Zamfara State Government, tasked with de-marketing the Minister of Defence. This user noted that the upcoming court hearing would determine if his posts constituted legitimate criticism or criminal defamation.
This incident follows a recent report by Legit.ng concerning a Lagos-based NYSC member who alleged she received threatening messages for criticizing Tinubu's government on TikTok over economic hardship and rising inflation. These consecutive events have fueled accusations that the administration is using state apparatus to suppress dissent and critical voices.
