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International human rights organisation Amnesty International has condemned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for allegedly targeting journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer about Ibrahim Masari, President Bola Tinubu’s aide.
The rights organisation said Yabagi remains at risk of arbitrary arrest despite the release of JKD Radio/Television Kaduna station manager Charle Abah and a security guard who were arrested after police operatives reportedly raided the station on Friday, September 11, 2026.
In a statement, Amnesty said it was “deeply concerned that police are still seeking to arbitrarily arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi” over the video concerning Masari.
“Even though both the station manager Charle Abah and the security guard arrested on Friday 11 Sept. 2026 were released, Zainab is still being hunted,” the organisation said.
Amnesty described the situation as “a clear case of disregard for due process and abuse of power.”
The organisation also alleged that police officers forced their way into JKD Radio/Television Kaduna on Friday, describing the incident as part of what it called a wider pattern of attempts to create fear across Nigerian newsrooms.
“Attacking JKD Radio/Television Kaduna is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job,” Amnesty said.
The organisation accused the Nigerian government of increasingly making it difficult for journalists to report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.
It said the targeting of independent media aimed to deprive Nigerians of access to “fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.”
Amnesty also maintained that public officials should remain open to scrutiny and criticism, regardless of their positions.
“No government official — no matter his status — is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public,” the organisation said.
It urged authorities to respect journalists’ rights and due process, stressing that attacks on the media have wider implications for freedom of expression and access to information.
“An attack on the media is an attack on freedom,” Amnesty said.
Amnesty International is deeply concerned that police @PoliceNG are still seeking to arbitrarily arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer on Mr. Ibrahim Masari — an aide of President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT. This is a clear case of disregard for due process… pic.twitter.com/bk9ifYUoGQ
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) September 13, 2026
