A Nigerian TikToker, Junaidu Abdullahi, who goes by the handle Abusalma, has been arrested and remanded in prison custody after he posted a viral video calling for widespread protests against the prevailing hardship in the country.
According to reports, security agents detained Abusalma on Wednesday and transported him to Abuja, where he was subsequently arraigned in court and remanded in Kano prison.
A relative of Abusalma, Mustapha Hamza, confirmed the situation to Daily Nigerian on Saturday, and revealed that the TikTok content creator is currently being held at Kurmawa prison in Kano.
“He left home in a hurry on Wednesday morning after receiving an urgent call around 8:30 am. He left without even eating breakfast. That was the last time his family saw him,” Hamza said.
“We reported the matter to the police station, and they immediately made a radio call, declaring him as a missing person.
“As we continued searching for his whereabouts, I received a call yesterday (Friday) around 5:30pm, with the caller informing me that Junaidu is at Kurmawa prison in Kano. He further revealed that Court 38 Zungeru Road, Kano ordered his remand and adjourned the case till after three weeks.”
In a recent video, Abusalma suggested that any Islamic cleric who publicly opposes the planned protest should be removed from their position of authority.
“Any religious leader who spoke against peaceful protest over hardship, then he is not part of those suffering.
“And whoever stops you from expressing your grievances to your leaders through peaceful protest as provided by the constitution, I swear he is not among those who can’t afford a sack of maize at N100,000.
“I personally bought a bag of fertilizer at N49,000. That was the price of a sack of maize in the past. As I speak to you now, I gathered that the price of fertilizer has increased.
“I am not calling for violence or destruction, but we will come out and protest in a lawful manner. It is the responsibility of government to deal with those that cause breakdown of law and order during the protest.
“The government has allowed terrorists to terrorise the people but they are trying to suppress a protest. Protest does not breed terrorism or banditry.
“If protest will lead to overthrow of the government, so be it. Any cleric who preaches against protest, pull him down from the pulpit… Pull him down!
“Let’s protest peacefully in order to be heard. We are not calling on government to buy cars or planes or yacht for the masses, we are only after the food to eat,” Abusalma said in the viral video.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Abusalma deleted the video just a couple of days after posting it and issued a public apology to Islamic clerics.
Moreover, he made a U-turn on his previous stance by urging people to avoid participating in the protest, citing concerns that it could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
This sudden change in stance has sparked curiosity and debate among his followers and the wider public.
Amnesty International Nigeria expressed concern over the arrest and detention of Junaidu Abdullahi.
The human rights organisation called for his immediate and unconditional release, stating that the government’s primary focus should be on addressing the economic challenges faced by millions of people, rather than stifling critical voices.
Amnesty International Nigeria on Saturday night emphasised that the government’s priority should be to implement urgent and effective measures to alleviate the suffering of those affected by poverty, malnutrition, and starvation, rather than suppressing dissenting voices.
It said in a statement: “The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release social media activist Junaidu Abdullahi (Abusalma) who was sent to Kano prison for posting a viral Tik Tok video calling for mass peaceful protest over widespread hunger across the country.
“Hurriedly getting a court to send him to prison and adjourning the case till the next three weeks shows the Nigerian authorities clear intention of punishing Abusalma for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
“Arresting critical voices should not be the priority of the Nigerian authorities at a time millions of people are on the brink of starvation, widespread malnutrition and deep poverty.”
Amnesty International Nigeria highlighted the concerning pattern of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s attempts to suppress dissenting voices and silence critics of the economic hardship gripping the nation.
This trend raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The organisation said in February, “the Nigerian authorities unlawfully arrested Aisha Jibrin, Fatima Aliyu, Fatima Isyaku and 22 others in Minna Niger state; for participating in protest against the staggering cost of living crisis people are facing nationwide.
“Also in February, Kano state police command unlawfully arrested Fatima Auwal, the leader of the women local bread (Gurasa) bakers — protesting unbearable hike in the price of flour, which is the ingredient used in the production of the local bread.”
Amnesty International Nigeria noted that the current economic crisis has led to unprecedented levels of inflation, resulting in a surge in the cost of essential goods and services, including food, medicine, electricity, and education.
Specifically, the organization highlighted the significant increase in electricity tariffs and tuition fees at public universities, which has further exacerbated the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.
“These are placing undue stress on families, businesses, and communities,” it said.
The country is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with skyrocketing inflation, a national currency in free-fall and millions of people struggling to buy food. Only two years ago Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria is projected to drop to fourth place this year.
The pain is widespread. Unions strike to protest salaries of around $20 a month. People die in stampedes, desperate for free sacks of rice. Hospitals are overrun with women wracked by spasms from calcium deficiencies.
The crisis is largely believed to be rooted in two major changes implemented by a president elected 14 months ago: the partial removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the currency, which together have caused major price rises.
A nation of entrepreneurs, Nigeria’s more than 200 million citizens are skilled at managing in tough circumstances, without the services states usually provide. They generate their own electricity and source their own water. They take up arms and defend their communities when the armed forces cannot. They negotiate with armed kidnappers when family members are abducted.
But right now, their resourcefulness is being stretched to the limit.
Some folks are planning protests to voice their concerns about the economic situation, including rising inflation and poverty, under President Tinubu’s administration.
The protests are expected to happen in the north and other parts of the country, but residents and leaders of the south-eastern region, inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group – have made it clear that they are not going to be part of the mass action.
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