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Hisbah Arrests Journalist in Katsina Over Social Media Post
By Ugbede James
In a concerning development for press freedom in Nigeria, the Katsina State Hisbah Board has reportedly detained a journalist, Jamil Mabai, a staff of Trust TV, the television broadcasting arm of Media Trust Group.
According to eyewitnesses, Mabai’s arrest came shortly after he posted on Facebook condemning what he perceived as unjust detainment and human rights abuses targeting youth by Hisbah authorities in Katsina.
In response to the incident, a user identified as Edrees4P commented, “Hisbah in Katsina arrested a journalist @jaymb000 over his post on Facebook criticizing their unjust detainment and human rights violations against youth in the state.
Confirming the arrest, Mabai recounted his ordeal, stating, “How I was detained by Katsina Hisbah officials when I visited their office to conduct a follow-up interview with the PRO.”
He elaborated, “Hisbah has banned the activities of DJs at events in Katsina. Last week Friday, Mallam Gambo, a resident of Katsina, died from a gunshot wound sustained while Hisbah officials were trying to shut down a wedding with a DJ.”
Mabai continued, “Following this incident, I contacted the Katsina Hisbah Public Relations Officer (PRO) to request a follow-up interview regarding Mallam Gambo’s death.
Upon my arrival at the Hisbah office, I couldn’t find the PRO. Unknown to me, it was a setup.” He further explained, “Hisbah officers approached me, claiming they were instructed to detain me. Despite explaining that I was a journalist there for an interview, they insisted and confiscated my phone before holding me in a cell.”
The journalist alleged that during his detention, he was threatened by the commandant, who purportedly stated, “I am fighting with religion and there is nothing I or anybody can do against the activities of Hisbah.”
Mabai was eventually released after an hour, but he emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Detaining a journalist on their premises without a reason or opportunity to provide a statement is a clear violation of press freedom.”
Jamil Mabai is renowned for his investigative reporting on issues concerning human rights violations in Nigeria.
Notably, on December 12, 2023, he highlighted the plight of Boko Haram victims in Katsina with his piece titled “Sex for Survival | Boko Haram Victim’s Silent Suffering Amidst Exploitation in Katsina by Security Personnel.”
Recall that, recently another journalist, Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter for the Foundation of Investigative Journalism, was similarly arrested in Lagos and flown to Abuja by the police.
Ojukwu’s detention sparked outcry from media outlets and rights activists, who protested the inhuman action, for Ojukwu to be freed after spending 10 days in custody.
