In northern Nigeria, social media users are treading a minefield. In recent months, several young people have been arrested and detained after making fun of their leaders. In a very conservative society, respecting social and religious norms is central, even online.
At the end of November, Nigerians learned with amazement of the arrest of Aminu Mohammed, a 23-year-old student. He had posted on Twitter a photo of the first lady of Nigeria with this caption in Hausa: “Mama gained weight by eating the money of the poor”.
His detention, deemed “illegal” by Amnesty International, gave rise to a vast movement of solidarity, prompting Aisha Buhari to withdraw her complaint. Aminu Mohammed spoke on Nigerian television, after returning to his university: “Freedom of expression, everyone has it.»
He is not the only young person to have had this kind of experience. Mubarak Muhammad was arrested in late October in the city of Kano. In a sketch posted on TikTok, he accused the local governor of corruption. Given the nature of our society and the lack of tolerance of our leaders… Yes, we live in a democracy, but they don’t really practice it”, regrets Mubarak Muhammad.