Niger: Police detain IBBU student over alleged cybercrimes linked to criticism of Governor Bago

Bago

The Niger State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a 29-year-old postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University of Agriculture and Mechanic, Lapai (IBBUL), on allegations of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other cybercrime-related offences, following a formal complaint reportedly instigated by Governor Umaru Bago.

The arrest, which took place at Mokwa’s residence in Lapai around 11:00 pm on Thursday, has sparked widespread controversy, with critics alleging it is a targeted move to suppress dissent.

Mokwa, a known social media critic of Bago’s administration popularly referred to as “Sen Isah Mokwa,” was detained by operatives from the Lapai Divisional Police Headquarters and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the command headquarters in Minna for further investigation, according to SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State Command.

Abiodun confirmed the arrest in a press release on October 24, stating that Mokwa remains in custody pending further developments, which will be communicated to the public in due course.

According to sources close to the case, including the lawyer representing Mokwa’s family, the Niger State Government had ordered police to file charges of terrorism and cybercrime against Mokwa, specifically citing his use of the satirical nickname “Governor Amunike” to criticise the governor. Nation