Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and continued detention of Hon. Jonah Bonet, popularly known as “Pompo,” describing it as an arbitrary action allegedly linked to his criticism of the Kaduna State Government.
According to Amnesty International, armed operatives of “Operation Fushin Kada” arrested Bonet at his residence in Abuja on the night of June 23, 2026, at about 8:15 p.m. The organization said he was taken away at gunpoint in the presence of his wife and children.
The rights group alleged that Bonet’s arrest followed the circulation of a viral social media video in which he criticized Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. It maintained that criticizing public officials is protected under the right to freedom of expression and should not attract criminal sanctions.
Amnesty International further claimed that Bonet’s family and legal representatives have been denied access to him and that security agencies have not disclosed his whereabouts despite repeated efforts to obtain information.
The organization called on Nigerian security agencies to uphold due process and refrain from being used to suppress dissent or restrict citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and opinion.
Amnesty International also accused the Kaduna State Government of increasingly targeting critics and creating what it described as a climate of fear that undermines freedom of expression. It argued that no individual should face arrest or detention solely for criticizing an elected public official.
The organization expressed concern over what it described as growing intimidation of Nigerians who use social media to comment on political and social issues, warning that such actions constitute violations of fundamental human rights.
Amnesty International called for Bonet’s immediate and unconditional release, urging the authorities to respect and protect the constitutional rights of all citizens.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government and the relevant security agencies had not publicly responded to the allegations.
KADUNA POLITICAL AFFAIRS
