Amnesty International Condemns Harassment and Intimidation of Journalists in Kano State

 Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the reported harassment and intimidation of two journalists in Kano State by the police, allegedly acting on the orders of the state’s Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya. 

The journalists, Buhari Abba Rano, an online editor with Kano Times, and Isma’il Auwal, were reportedly detained and questioned over an opinion article published by Kano Times. ​

The human rights organization described these actions as an assault on press freedom and called for an immediate end to the intimidation of journalists. Amnesty International emphasized the importance of upholding the rights to freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of media practitioners in Nigeria. ​

This incident has raised concerns among civil society groups and media organizations, who view it as part of a broader pattern of suppressing dissent and controlling the narrative within the state. The call for the protection of journalists is seen as crucial in maintaining a free and democratic society where diverse opinions can be expressed without fear of retribution.