Renowned Nigerian Journalist Imprisoned Over Critical Facebook Posts

The year has been inundated with successive accounts of unfettered harassment, plus appalling and systematic manhandling of bloggers and journalists. Sitting prominently on this jarring list is the disconcerting case of award-winning journalist, Danjuma Katsina.

Danjuma Katsina, an acclaimed media figure, found himself on the wrong side of the establishment due to his audacious online critique. The bone of contention emanated from his critical commentary on Mansur Mashi, an incumbent member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives hailing from Katsina state.

Following Katsina’s outspoken Facebook post, Mashi, rather than confronting the allegations or opting for a democratic means of dispute resolution, reacted by filing a case against the journalist. This action swiftly resulted in a summon to the police station at 8pm on an otherwise arbitrary Saturday. What was initially presented as a standard process of inquiry, shockingly culminated in the journalist’s detention.

As reported by Sahara Reporters, Katsina had incited Mashi’s ire by posting an analytical commentary on the Mashi/Dutsi bye-election conducted in May. In his post, the journalist pondered aloud why Mashi was permitted to partake in the electoral process despite being embroiled in an ongoing court proceeding regarding allegations of corruption.

Although the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Katsina state Chapter and officials of the Nigerian Guild of Editors moved heaven and earth to secure his blessed freedom, to no avail. Katsina was forced to endure the grim experience of a night in detention.

Meanwhile, DSP Gambo Isah, the Public Relations Officer for the state police command, denied any formal detention of the journalist. He insisted that Katsina was merely “invited” for a round of questioning, thereby evading any implication of police abuse of power.

This narrative stirs up grave concerns on the state of press freedom and democracy in the country, symptomatic of a broader global struggle. It once again sheds a glaring spotlight on the potential risks that journalists face in their endeavor to tell the truth, to hold the powerful accountable, and to stimulate the public’s right to know.