Amnesty International has raised the alarm over the arrest and swift jailing of Shafi’u Tureta, an activist and critic of Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu after he shared a viral video of the governor’s wife’s lavish party.

The human rights organisation condemned the jailing of Mr Turera in a statement on Monday, berating Mr Aliyu for being intolerant and repressive of critics.

“Shafi’u Tureta, arrested unlawfully on the order of Governor Of Sokoto State Ahmed Aliyu, has been hurriedly sent to prison in what appears to be an attempt to punish him. Posting an already viral video of the lavish birthday party of the governor’s wife is not a crime,” Amnesty International said.

“No one should be arrested solely for expressing an opinion that is contrary to that of the government or people in government.”

Amnesty International also raised concern over the “growing intolerance of dissenting voices by those in positions of authority in Nigeria is another setback for nation’s human rights records.”

It added, “Sokoto state government has many important issues to tackle — and punishing critics of government is not one of them. This trend of the authorities’ never-ending harassment of activists for their social media posts must end.”

Mr Aliyu has yet to make an official statement despite coming under criticism for the arrest of Mr Tureta.