Amnesty International condemns detention of Katsina analyst Bashir Kurfi, demands release

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the detention of public affairs analyst Dr Bashir Kurfi, describing his continued custody as arbitrary and an attack on freedom of expression.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights organisation alleged that Kurfi was being detained over comments he made during a television interview on the Katsina State Government’s handling of banditry.

According to Amnesty International, Kurfi honoured an invitation by the Katsina State Police Command on Tuesday to answer questions relating to a separate matter, but was subsequently informed that he would be detained over a petition connected to his interview on Trust Television.

The organisation claimed there were attempts to keep the analyst in detention through what it described as fabricated charges.

“Right now, a plot is ongoing to keep Dr Bashir Kurfi in detention indefinitely through abuse of power. The plan to trap him with fabricated charges through a sham trial is an attack on freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said.

The group alleged that the authorities were seeking to punish Kurfi for questioning the state government’s approach to tackling banditry rather than investigating the issues he had raised.

According to Amnesty International, the detention could have a chilling effect on public scrutiny of government policies and discourage citizens from speaking out on issues of public interest.

“No one should be punished for criticising government or probing official dealings. Dr Bashir Kurfi did not commit any crime, and his arrest shows clear abuse of power. It is perfectly within his right to raise questions or criticise any government policy,” the organisation said.

Amnesty International further alleged that despite the persistent threat posed by armed bandits in Katsina State, individuals who demand greater protection or speak publicly about insecurity have increasingly faced intimidation and arrest.

The organisation said it had documented cases since 2020 involving farmers, activists and civil society groups who were allegedly subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrest or other forms of harassment after criticising the government’s response to bandit attacks.

Amnesty International called on the authorities to immediately release Kurfi unless there is credible evidence that he committed a recognisable criminal offence.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor the Katsina State Police Command had publicly responded to Amnesty International’s allegations.