Atiku demands release of detained critic

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to immediately release detained social media critic Abubakar Salim Musa, popularly known as @AM_Saleeeem on X.

Atiku made the demand on Monday via his verified X handle, condemning what he described as a growing clampdown on dissent under the President Bola Tinubu administration.

He was reacting to a post by Amnesty International Nigeria, which disclosed that Musa was arbitrarily arrested on the evening of January 11, 2026, and subsequently remanded at Keffi Prison.

Amnesty International had said:

“Abubakar Salim Musa has been remanded at Keffi Prison ahead of plans to put him through a sham trial based on bogus charges. What Salim is going through shows that the right of young people to freedom of expression in Nigeria is increasingly threatened.”

Reacting, Atiku described Musa’s arrest as “yet another disturbing example of the Tinubu administration baring its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism.”

According to him, Musa’s only offence was his “consistent and legitimate criticism of the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country.”
He accused the government of resorting to intimidation rather than addressing legitimate concerns, noting that Amnesty International had already labelled the charges against Musa as “bogus” and the legal process a “sham trial.”

Atiku further alleged that Musa’s case was not isolated, claiming that journalists, entertainers, schoolchildren and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had been arrested, harassed or intimidated for criticising the President or members of his family.

“This dangerous trend undermines the very foundations of democracy, which rest on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression,” Atiku said.

He warned that Nigeria could not claim to be democratic while citizens were being punished for expressing dissenting views, especially as the country approaches another general election cycle.

“As the nation approaches a critical general election, neither the people nor the opposition can operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression,” he added.

Atiku therefore urged the Tinubu administration to “immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and all others detained simply for exercising their constitutional rights.”

He also called on the international community to intervene, urging countries and organisations that promote democracy and human rights to hold the Tinubu government accountable.

“I encourage fellow patriots, civil society groups and Nigerians of conscience to speak out against this sustained campaign of intimidation and repression,” he said.