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| Hisbah Detains Trust TV Journalist Over Social Media Post |
Confirming his arrest via X, Mabai explained that he visited the Hisbah office for an interview with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) but was unexpectedly detained.
In Katsina State, the Hisbah Board arrested Jamil Mabai, a journalist associated with Trust TV, the television broadcasting arm of the Media Trust Group.
Mabai's arrest followed his social media post criticizing alleged human rights violations against youths.
Commenting on the situation, an X user with the handle Edrees4P stated, "Hisbah in Katsina arrested journalist @jaymb000 for his Facebook post condemning unjust detainment and human rights violations against youth in the state. Remember, journalism is not a crime."
Confirming his arrest via X, Mabai explained that he visited the Hisbah office for an interview with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) but was unexpectedly detained.
The interview focused on a DJ who was shot by Hisbah officials the previous week, leading to Mabai's custody.
He recounted, "I was detained by Katsina Hisbah officials during my follow-up interview with the PRO. Hisbah had banned DJs' activities at events in Katsina. Last Friday, Mallam Gambo, a Katsina resident, died from a gunshot wound sustained while Hisbah officials attempted to shut down a wedding with a DJ. The shots were fired by an operative of the Community Watch Corp, tasked with defending communities against bandits.
Upon arriving at the Hisbah office, I couldn't find the PRO. Unbeknownst to me, it was a setup. Hisbah officers claimed they were instructed to detain me. Despite explaining my journalistic purpose, they confiscated my phone and held me in a cell.
Later, I faced the commandant's office. He threatened me, stating, 'I am fighting with religion, and there is nothing anyone can do against Hisbah's activities.' After an hour, I was released. This entire ordeal raises serious concerns. Detaining a journalist without reason or an opportunity to provide a statement violates press freedom."
Mabai is known for reporting on human rights infringements, seeking justice as stipulated in the Constitution.
On December 12, 2023, he highlighted the story titled "Sex for Survival | Boko Haram Victim's Silent Suffering Amidst Exploitation in Katsina by Security Personnel."
Nigeria's recent crackdown on journalists undermines their noble profession. Most recently, Daniel Ojukwu, a Foundation of Investigative Journalism reporter, was abducted by the police in Lagos and flown to Abuja. Media and rights activists protested this inhuman action, leading to Ojukwu's release after spending 10 days in custody.
