Group Warns Police Against Criminalising Citizens for Asking Questions on Public Funds
Prominent pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned in the strongest terms the reported arrest and detention of three young Nigerians in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State over a Facebook post concerning the council’s Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts.
The affected youths — Salihu Yahaya, Haruna Mohammed and Muhammed Mallum — were reportedly arrested after sharing information stating that Shani Local Government Area received about ₦3.11 billion in FAAC allocations between January and June 2026.
HURIWA considers the reported arrest deeply disturbing and a dangerous assault on the constitutional right of citizens to freely express opinions, share information and demand accountability from public institutions.
It is particularly alarming that citizens could allegedly be taken into police custody merely for publishing information relating to public funds.
HURIWA: Police Must Stop Turning Public Accountability Into a Crime
HURIWA demands the immediate and unconditional release of the three youths and calls on the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene by directing the appropriate police authorities to release them if they are being held solely in connection with the said publication.
The association further demands ₦100 million compensation for the alleged violation of the fundamental rights of the affected citizens.
HURIWA gives the Inspector-General of Police a deadline of 2pm today to take decisive steps towards securing their release and addressing what amounts, if established, to an unacceptable abuse of police powers.
The association warns that the Nigeria Police Force must not become an instrument for intimidating citizens who raise questions about the management of public resources.
Public officials, including local government chairmen, are custodians of public resources. They are therefore expected to welcome legitimate scrutiny and respond with facts whenever questions are raised about public funds.
If the figures published by the youths are inaccurate, the appropriate response is to provide the correct figures and publicly explain the discrepancy — not arrest the messenger.
₦3.11bn FAAC Figure Requires Transparency, Not Intimidation
Available FAAC figures cited by HURIWA indicate that Shani Local Government Area received a cumulative ₦3,110,132,578.97 between January and June 2026.
The reported monthly allocations were ₦514.80 million in January, ₦533.46 million in February, ₦474.92 million in March, ₦496.11 million in April, ₦551.90 million in May and ₦538.95 million in June.
These figures, according to the records cited, include statutory allocations, Value Added Tax, augmentation, ecology funds, Electronic Money Transfer Levy and other applicable components.
HURIWA therefore challenges the relevant authorities to publicly establish what aspect of the information published by the youths is allegedly false or criminal.
The association insists that public funds belong to the people, and citizens have every legitimate reason to ask how much their local governments receive and how such funds are utilised.
Freedom of Expression Is Not a Crime
HURIWA reminds the police and all public authorities that the constitutional protection of freedom of expression cannot be casually suspended merely because a citizen publishes information that embarrasses a public official.
The association is deeply concerned by reports that the youths were allegedly threatened with transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department or the Department of State Services in Maiduguri.
If established, such threats would represent an alarming attempt to escalate what appears to be a matter that could be addressed through simple clarification of public records.
HURIWA warns that the use of security agencies to settle political, administrative or personal disagreements with citizens is completely unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
The association will not accept a situation where young Nigerians are frightened into silence whenever they discuss government revenue, public expenditure or the performance of elected officials.
IGP Must Act Before 2pm
HURIWA therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police to:
1. Order the immediate and unconditional release of Salihu Yahaya, Haruna Mohammed and Muhammed Mallum, if their detention is solely connected to the Facebook publication.
2. Direct an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
3. Ensure that no police officer or public official uses state power to intimidate citizens exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights.
4. Ensure payment of ₦100 million compensation to the affected youths for the alleged violation of their fundamental rights.
5. Direct the Borno State Police Command to publicly clarify the legal basis, if any, for the arrests.
HURIWA also calls on the Borno State Government, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene in defence of citizens whose rights may have been violated.
The association particularly urges young Nigerians not to be intimidated from participating in legitimate discussions about governance and public accountability.
This Is About More Than Three Young Nigerians
HURIWA stresses that the Shani incident goes beyond the fate of three individuals.
It raises a fundamental question about whether citizens in Nigeria can freely discuss public revenue, government allocations and accountability without fear of arrest.
A democracy cannot survive when citizens are expected to remain silent while public institutions operate without scrutiny.
HURIWA will therefore continue to monitor the situation and pursue all lawful avenues necessary to protect the fundamental rights of the affected youths.
The association calls on the police hierarchy to act before 2pm today and demonstrate that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting citizens and upholding the Constitution rather than suppressing legitimate public discourse.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
29 August 2026
