Being a journalist in Nigeria is no longer business as usual.
In fact, the risk of being a journalist in Nigeria cannot be overlooked.
Recently, many Nigerian journalists have been arrested for one reason or the other.
These journalists are often arrested under very strange circumstances, in fact, on several occasions, security agencies have been accused of kidnapping journalists going about their daily hustle.
This is the story of Muktar Dahiru, a journalist at Pyramid FM Kano.
Trouble began for Dahiru on Thursday when he was arrested by security operatives.
As we speak, a magistrate court in Kano has ordered his remand.
This is for allegedly posting content on Facebook deemed insulting to the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.
The Facebook Post
Dahiru faces charges of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult.
The arrest followed a Facebook post in which Dahiru shared an audio interview featuring an opposition politician accusing Governor Yusuf of corruption.
The politician in the audio called for federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate a scandal involving Novomed Pharmaceuticals, instead of relying on the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCCAC).
The post came amid the Kano anti-corruption agency’s recent arrest of five individuals, including Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, in connection with an alleged multi-billion-naira drug purchase scam.
In addition to the Facebook post about the governor, Dahiru was also reported to have shared an audio program in which a person criticised the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.
Sanusi In The Mix
Sanusi was accused of living an opulent lifestyle while portraying himself as sympathetic to the poor.
Also Read: August 1 Protest: Things Journalist Should Do To Stay Safe
However, Premium Times reports that, on Friday, Dahiru was secretly arraigned before Magistrate Court 24 in Gyadi Gyadi, Kano.
The presiding magistrate, Ummah Kurawa, ordered his remand in a correctional facility until the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for September 3.
Dahiru’s case is one of the many which have occurred in the country.
Recently, a popular social media blogger, PIDOMNigeria, was tracked and arrested.
