Amnesty International Condemns Borno State Government for Arbitrary Detention of Teen Over Critical Social Media Post Targeting Governor Zulum

Amnesty International has strongly criticized the Borno State Government for what it describes as the unlawful arrest and continued detention of a teenager following a social media post that criticized Governor Babagana Zulum. The global human rights watchdog has called the situation a clear violation of the young person’s right to freedom of expression, sparking widespread concern across Nigeria’s civil society and legal communities.

According to reports, the teenager—whose identity has been withheld for safety reasons—was apprehended by state security agents after he allegedly shared a Facebook post deemed offensive to Governor Zulum. The post reportedly highlighted perceived failures in the state government’s response to socio-economic challenges and accused the governor of neglecting certain communities in Borno State.

Amnesty International, in a statement released on Friday, labeled the arrest as an act of repression aimed at silencing dissent and discouraging public criticism of elected officials. “This arrest is not only unjustifiable but also sends a dangerous message to young people that they cannot express their opinions freely without fear of retaliation,” the organization stated.

Human rights advocates have echoed Amnesty’s condemnation, arguing that the teenager’s detention violates multiple national and international legal frameworks protecting freedom of speech. Legal experts say that, while public officials are entitled to protection from defamation, such protection must not come at the cost of fundamental human rights.

The Borno State Government has yet to issue an official response to Amnesty’s statement. However, sources within the administration claim the teenager was arrested for spreading “false information” and inciting public unrest—a justification critics argue lacks legal merit.

This incident adds to a growing number of cases in Nigeria where individuals, including young people, are detained for online posts criticizing government officials. Rights groups warn that such trends undermine democratic accountability and the rule of law.

Amnesty International is demanding the immediate release of the teenager and the dropping of all charges. The organization also urged the Nigerian government to ensure that state authorities respect the right to free speech and cease the harassment of individuals for their opinions expressed online.

As the public awaits a formal reaction from Governor Zulum and his administration, pressure continues to mount on the government to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights in the face of growing digital activism