Amnesty Condemns Continued Police Hunt For Journalist Zainab Yabagi Over Video On Tinubu’s Aide

Amnesty International has condemned the alleged continued attempt by the Nigeria Police Force to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer concerning Ibrahim Masari, an aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The rights organization said it was “deeply concerned” that the police were still seeking to arrest Yabagi, describing the development as a disregard for due process and an abuse of power.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the police are still seeking to arbitrarily arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer on Mr. Ibrahim Masari — an aide of President Bola Tinubu. This is a clear case of disregard for due process and abuse of power.”

The organization’s concerns followed the alleged invasion of JKD Radio/Television in Millennium City, Kaduna State, by armed police officers on Friday, September 11, 2026.

During the incident, the station manager, Charle Abah, and a security guard were arrested but later released.

“Even though both the station manager Charle Abah and the security guard arrested on Friday 11 Sept. 2026 were released, but Zainab is still being hunted,” Amnesty International said.

The organization had earlier condemned what it described as an “unlawful and outrageous invasion” of the station, saying the police operation was part of a growing pattern of pressure on journalists and independent media organizations.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful and outrageous invasion of JKD TV Hamada Radio Network located at Millennium City Kaduna by a contingent of heavily armed police,” it said.

“Both the General Manager Mr. Charles Abah and a security guard were arbitrarily arrested during the raid.”

Amnesty International said the incident raised concerns about the ability of journalists and media organizations to report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisals.

“On Friday 11 Sept. police forced their way into the radio station. 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,” the organization said.

It added, “Government of Nigeria is increasingly making it difficult for the media report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.”

The rights group also stressed that public officials should remain open to scrutiny and criticism, particularly when such scrutiny is carried out in the public interest.

“No government official — no matter his status — is above scrutiny and criticism in the interest of the public,” Amnesty International said.

It further warned that targeting independent media could deprive Nigerians of access to fair and objective reporting on issues affecting their lives.

“The targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives,” it said.

Amnesty International urged authorities to respect journalists’ rights and due process, stressing that media organizations must be allowed to perform their watchdog role without intimidation or arbitrary arrests.

It concluded with a broader warning about attacks on journalists and media organizations, saying, “An attack on the media is an attack on freedom.”