Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian authorities for the arrest and imprisonment of Junaidu ‘Abusalma’ Abdullahi, a Kano-based TikToker, for mobilising mass protests over the country’s widespread hunger.

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Amnesty International demanded the immediate release of Mr Abdullahi, accusing the Nigerian government of punishing him for exercising his fundamental rights.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release social media activist Junaidu Abdullahi (Abusalma), who was imprisoned in Kano for posting a viral TikTok video calling for a peaceful protest against widespread hunger across the country. #FreeAbusalma,” the human rights organisation said.

Amnesty International further criticised the government’s actions, describing the expedited court proceedings and the adjournment of the case for three weeks as evidence of a deliberate attempt to punish Abdullahi for exercising his freedom of expression.

The statement also referenced previous incidents of government crackdowns on dissent, noting that “arresting critical voices should not be the priority of the Nigerian authorities at a time when millions are on the brink of starvation, facing widespread malnutrition and severe poverty.”

In February, Amnesty International said the Nigerian authorities had unlawfully arrested Aisha Jibrin, Fatima Aliyu, Fatima Isyaku, and twenty-two others in Minna, Niger, for participating in a protest against the severe cost of living crisis. 

It also noted the police “unlawfully” detained Fatima Auwal, a local bread (Gurasa) baker, for protesting the steep rise in flour prices.