Release Yakasai Unconditionally, Criticism Is Not A Crime — SERAP Tells Security Agents

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has
condemned the alleged arrest of Salihu Tanko Yakasai, ex-aide to
the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Salihu on Friday criticized President Muhammadu Buhari, and
other Nigerian governors over the spate of killings, abductions,
rape and other insecurity issues in the country.

He demanded absolute resignation of non-performing players
amongst the political leaders. In his tweet on Friday, Salihu
called on Buhari and the Governors to resign or deal decisively
with the terrorists and bandits terrorizing the country.

Salihu was reacting to the latest abduction of about 317 female
students kidnapped by gunmen from Government Girls Secondary School
in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara
State.

Miffed by the complaints of many Nigerians, Salihu also said
that the All Progressives Congress, APC government has failed
particularly in the primary responsibility of securing the lives of
the electorates that brought them into power.

However, reacting to the his purported arrest, SERAP opined that
criticism is not a crime, urging Nigerian government to stop
treating criticism as crime. The group asked security agents to
release Salihu unconditionally.

See tweets below:

“Kano State authorities are making a mockery of the Nigerian
Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights
obligations by sacking journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for
allegedly criticising the government of President Buhari. Peaceful
dissent is not a crime.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has
condemned the alleged arrest of Salihu Tanko Yakasai, ex-aide to
the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Salihu on Friday criticized President Muhammadu Buhari, and
other Nigerian governors over the spate of killings, abductions,
rape and other insecurity issues in the country.

He demanded absolute resignation of non-performing players
amongst the political leaders. In his tweet on Friday, Salihu
called on Buhari and the Governors to resign or deal decisively
with the terrorists and bandits terrorizing the country.

Salihu was reacting to the latest abduction of about 317 female
students kidnapped by gunmen from Government Girls Secondary School
in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara
State.

Miffed by the complaints of many Nigerians, Salihu also said
that the All Progressives Congress, APC government has failed
particularly in the primary responsibility of securing the lives of
the electorates that brought them into power.

However, reacting to the his purported arrest, SERAP opined that
criticism is not a crime, urging Nigerian government to stop
treating criticism as crime. The group asked security agents to
release Salihu unconditionally.

See tweets below:

“Kano State authorities are making a mockery of the Nigerian
Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights
obligations by sacking journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for
allegedly criticising the government of President Buhari. Peaceful
dissent is not a crime.”