CAIDOV Condemns Detention Of Journalist Babakura Aninigi By Niger State Police; Demands Immediate Release
The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) strongly condemn in its entirety the unlawful detention of Nigerian journalist and political critic, Comrade Babakura Aninigi (also reported as Babajura Aninigi) by the Niger State Police Command after he honourably honoured their invitation.
According to verified reports, Mr. Aninigi was invited via a letter dated October 16, 2026, signed by CSP Caroline E.C. Ugorji of the CP Monitoring Unit, over allegations of cybercrime, defamation and related offences following his criticism of governance in Paikoro Local Government Area.
The journalist, in a Facebook post on October 17, publicly disclosed the invitation and stated: _“The game is on! We are law-abiding citizens, and we will honour the invitation and present all the necessary evidence to support our position… PAIKORO FIRST! No intimidation, no compromise.”
He kept his word. He appeared before the Commissioner of Police at 10:00 a.m on Monday, October 19, 2026 as directed. Instead of being heard and allowed to go, he was detained.
The group in a press release issued on Tuesday signed by its Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki condemned the arrest and detention, saying that this is unacceptable, unconstitutional and condemnable.
The group described the detention as an abuse of invitation, stressing that inviting a citizen who is willing to cooperate and then detaining him is a trap, not investigation. It discourages citizens from honouring police invitations.
CAIDOV posited that the detention is an attack on Free Speech, stressing that criticizing elected representatives in Paikoro LGA is not defamation, it is democracy as Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression.
It further said that the process is a misuse of Cybercrime Act, and that the Cybercrime Act as amended in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clearly narrowed Section 24 to pornographic content and false information that threatens life or public order.
Criticizing governance performance does not fall under this. The police cannot weaponize cybercrime to silence critics.
Finally, CAIDOV stated that the act is an intimidation of journalists, which is at variance with democratic ethos.
The group demanded an immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Babakura Aninigi and that the Inspector General of Police should call the Niger State Commissioner of Police to order and ensure journalists are not harassed for holding duty bearers accountable.
Furthermore, Niger State Government should focus on addressing the developmental issues raised by the journalist in Paikoro, rather than using police to intimidate him.
Finally “we stand firmly for accountability, transparency and good governance. An injury to one journalist is an injury to all civil society activists.If Mr. Aninigi is not released within 24 hours, CAIDOV will petition the National Human Rights Commission, the NUJ, and the Police Service Commission, and will mobilize civil society for a peaceful protest at the Niger State Police Command”, the group concluded.
