Student arrested over online criticism of Niger State governor
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a 29-year-old postgraduate student at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), in connection with alleged online offences targeting Mohammed Umaru Bago, the governor of Niger State.
According to the police, the suspect was taken from his off-campus residence in Lapai at around 11 p.m. on October 23, 2025, following a formal complaint alleging accusations of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking and other cyber-crime-related offences. He was immediately transferred to the Command’s headquarters in Minna for further investigation.
Official reports indicate that the action stemmed from several social-media posts in which Mokwa criticised Governor Bago’s administration, including referring to him by the nickname “Governor Amunike” and raising issues such as delayed pensions, university infrastructure problems and flood relief. The police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the case remains under investigation and that no formal charge had yet been filed at the time of reporting.
Human rights observers have raised concerns that the arrest may reflect a broader pattern of suppression of dissent in Niger State. Centre for Information Technology & Development (CITAD) condemned the detention, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
