Nigerian Police Detain Party Chieftain For Criticising Governor
Magira’s personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, confirmed that he was taken into custody by operatives of the Borno State Police Command on Sunday night.
The Nigerian police have detained Atom Magira, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), over alleged criticism of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.
Magira’s personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, confirmed that he was taken into custody by operatives of the Borno State Police Command on Sunday night.
Magira, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 elections, is known as a leading opposition figure in the state. He has been vocal in challenging Governor Zulum’s policies.
Sources disclosed to Daily Nigerian that his detention is linked to a billboard sponsored by supporters of the “YES TO MERGER” campaign, which called for a merger of political parties in the state.
The billboard, featuring Magira’s image and the slogan “Say Yes To Merger,” was reportedly destroyed by unidentified individuals.
“It is on the orders of the state government. They don’t want a serious opposition in the state. Whoever will do that will be crippled; that’s the norm since 1999, but Magira has remained consistent to offer a credible and constructive opposition in Borno State,” a source alleged.
As of Monday morning, Magira remains in detention, with no clarity on whether he will be charged to court.
Efforts to reach ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, for comment were unsuccessful.
