The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned the arrest of digital journalist Ibrahim Ishaq, popularly known as Danuwa Rano, describing it as an attempt to silence the media and suppress freedom of expression in Kano State.
Danuwa, founder of Danuwa Rano TV, was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police, Zone One Command, over an online audio commentary in which he allegedly suggested that a government official was collecting money from individuals seeking access to the Kano State Governor.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Y. Z. Ya’u, CITAD described the arrest as “unwarranted and a dangerous trend of intolerance and misuse of power to intimidate journalists.”
Ya’u said the journalist did not mention any names in his commentary, but it was alleged that the Director-General of Protocol to the Governor filed a complaint that led to his arrest.
“The arrest of a journalist for performing his constitutional duty of informing the public is a gross abuse of power and a violation of democratic norms,” the statement read.
CITAD reminded the authorities that freedom of expression is guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, urging the police to “act as protectors of rights, not instruments of oppression.”
The organisation called for Danuwa’s immediate and unconditional release and urged the Kano State Government and security agencies to desist from further harassment of media practitioners.
It also appealed to civil society groups and human rights defenders to speak out against what it described as “a growing pattern of press suppression.”