Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a 29-year-old postgraduate student of the Department of Agricultural Economy and Extension at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), was arrested on Thursday for allegedly criticizing Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Facebook.
Mokwa was reportedly apprehended by the police at an off-campus lodge in Lapai following posts that questioned the governor’s performance.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the arrest. Spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun told Daily Trust:
“The Niger State Police Command received a criminal complaint bordering on cyber bullying, cyber stalking and other Cybercrime related offences against one Abubakar Isah Mokwa, 29yrs of Mokwa, and a postgraduate student of IBBUL. Hence, he was invited and arrested by the Lapai Div on 23rd October, 2025 at about 11pm and transferred to the State Police Command Headquarters, Minna for further investigation in respect of the criminal complaint. However, the suspect is in custody and further development will be made public.”
This incident follows previous actions by the Niger State government against individuals and media outlets perceived to criticize the administration. In August, the government suspended Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, reportedly over critical coverage of Governor Bago.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria condemned the latest arrest, highlighting a worrying trend:
“In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was detained for three days after allegedly circulating an article critical of the governor’s media adviser.”
“Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, the Niger State correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulted by a commissioner in Governor Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview regarding a violent clash between farmers in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area,” IPI added in a press statement.
As Mokwa remains in police custody, human rights and press freedom advocates are closely monitoring the case, raising urgent questions about freedom of expression in Niger State.
