CCIJ condemns detention of WikkiTimes Publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu, demands immediate release
The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) has expressed deep concern over the arrest of Haruna Salihu Mohammed, Publisher of WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based investigative online newspaper on the order of the state governor, Bala Mohammed.
Mohammed is allegedly being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bauchi Police Headquarters.
CCIJ said Salisu’s arrest and detention by the Bauchi State Police Command as ordered by Governor Bala Mohammed represent a serious assault on democracy and constitutionally-enshrined freedom of expression in Nigeria and throughout the African continent.
“The centre condemned the outrageous attack on constitutionally-enshrined press freedoms and calls for Haruna’s immediate and unconditional release.
WikkiTimes Editor, Yakubu Mohammed, told CCIJ that Haruna was arrested earlier on Saturday at Duguri, the governor’s hometown where he was covering the election.
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He said on the morning of February 25, 2023, Salisu and other journalists interviewed Governor Mohammed about the ongoing general election in the country. Shortly after the interview, Salisu observed a group of women protesting against the governor for breaking his promise to offer employment.
He was filming and interviewing the protesters during which the women booed the governor and said they would not vote. Some people believed to be supporters of the governor attacked Salisu. They also reported Salisu to their principal, who ordered his security detail to arrest him.
Mohammed said the publisher has been kept in police custody at the Bauchi Police State Command for public incitement.
