Amnesty Demands Release of Kano Journalist Detained By Police
Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned what it called the arbitrary arrest of Kano-based journalist, Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano, who has been detained by the police based on bizarre and outrageous allegations of defamation of character.
Arresting a person for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed rights as a journalist is unlawful.
” The unlawful arrest of Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano simply for doing his job, is part of an ongoing pattern in which the police are being misused to target independent media voices to instill fear and curb press freedom.
“The claim by the police that Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano was ‘operating of an online television station without being licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC’ clearly shows the desperate and illegitimate attempts to shut down critical voices through the abuse of power,” it said.
Amnesty believes that it is within Rano’s right to use an oline platform to share his views and opinion with wider audiences.
” What happened to the journalist is a tactic that poses a significant threat to free media and the public’s right to information.
“The police must immediately and unconditionally release Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano and withdraw attempts to silence him. Authorities must allow journalists to carry out their work freely, safely and without fear of harassment, intimidation or reprisals,” the rights group added.
The satirical show reportedly made innuendo-laden references to a “certain DG protocol” accused of collecting bribes in exchange for granting visitors access to the governor.
Although the programme did not mention names, Rogo petitioned the police, claiming the content targeted him.
Dan’uwa Rano confirmed that he was being questioned over the show and for allegedly operating an unlicensed online television station.
“The police are saying we don’t have an NBC licence and that our company is not registered,” he said.
The Zone One Public Relations Officer, CSP Bashir Muhammad, has confirmed the arrest, saying the journalist was arrested following complaint of character assassination leveled against him.
The PPRO said “The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone One Headquarters, Kano, AIG Ahmed Garba, has directed that the journalist be invited for investigation. After thorough investigation, if found wanting will be charged to court.”
Rogo, the suspected petitioner, is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged N6.5 billion fraud.
He is accused of siphoning public funds through proxies between November 2023 and February 2025.
