In what appears to be an early crackdown on the EndBadGovernance protesters, even before the protest commences, police in Katsina State have arrested a popular human rights activist and whistleblower, Abdulmumini Shehu Sani.
A source said the human rights activist was arrested on accusations of being one of the masterminds of the planned protest scheduled to commence on August 1.
Confirming the arrest to newsmen in Katsina, one of his lawyers, who opted for anonymity on fears of arrest, said Sani was whisked away by heavily armed men who stormed his residence in Katsina.
He raised the alarm that the arrest of Sani by the police is part of the violent crackdown on the EndBadGovernance protest, even though the protest has yet to commence.
“Clearly, Sani has not violated any constitutional provision and has not mobilised any individual or group to participate in the protest, even though peaceful protest is part of democracy.
“It should be clear that Nigeria is not a dictatorship, and peaceful protest is a civil right; it is a constitutional right of every citizen, and arresting citizens and detaining them for more than 24 hours without stating their offence is outrightly illegal.
“Arresting human rights activists and whistleblowers is not a feature of democracy; it is only obtainable in dictatorships and autocratic settings.
“These politicians that are reaping what they did not sow—where were they when Sani was being jailed and persecuted to enthrone democracy in the country?” he queried.
The Tribune Correspondent in Katsina has observed that the arrest of Abdulmumini Sani has sparked public outcry, particularly among civil rights groups and other residents in Katsina State.
A pro-democracy activist, Dr. Abdullahi Abdu, described the arrest of Sani as “unacceptable,” calling for his “unconditional release.”.
“What has Abdulmumini done to be arrested by armed men at his residence? Did he violate any law, did he kill anyone, or did he vandalise anyone’s property?
“To the best of my knowledge, Abdulmumini did not even write any letter of clearance for protest, and he has not met or spoken with any group in an attempt to mobilise them for the protest.
“They should stop causing unnecessary tension and panic among citizens; this would only add salt to injury. They should stop tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force. Nigeria is supposed to be practicing good democracy.
“He should be released unconditionally; he is just an innocent citizen who has been working to promote democracy and good governance,” Dr Abdul stressed.
Another resident in the Kofar Sauri area of Katsina metropolis, Malam Mas’udu Na-Liman, expressed anger over the arrest of Sani, whom he described as “just a whistleblower that tries to hold politicians accountable to the people.”.
“I have known Sani for more than forty years; he is a peaceful and patriotic man. I have never known him to cause unrest, and we all know that the protest has not even started. What has he done to cause his arrest? When did whistleblowing become a crime in Nigeria?” Na-Liman asked.
Meanwhile, attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Police Command proved abortive, but the state Police Commissioner, Aliyu Musa, had while addressing a town hall meeting at the Government House in Katsina, pledged police protection for citizens that wished to participate in the planned protest.
“The police in Katsina State will provide protection for any citizen in the state that wishes to participate in the protest, but you must write your name and your address”, the CP said.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
