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September 10, 2025 – Nigeria –
A journalist in Kebbi State, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, has been detained following the release of a video that exposed deplorable conditions at Kangiwa General Hospital. The footage showed an elderly patient lying on a bare metal bedframe without a mattress, sparking outrage among locals and civil society. The arrest was reportedly ordered by the state’s governor, Nasir Idris, after the video circulated widely on social media.
Activists, opposition figures, and human rights groups have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom. Omoyele Sowore, a well-known opposition activist, described the detention as “tyranny” and criticized Governor Idris for punishing the messenger rather than addressing systemic neglect in the health sector. The Take It Back Movement, a pro-democracy organization, issued a statement demanding Kangiwa’s immediate release.
Social media response has been strong: the hashtag #FreeHassanKangiwaNow trended as users shared the video and called for accountability. Many argue the arrest signals an attempt to silence criticism and cover up governmental failures rather than remedy them.
So far, Kebbi State authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific charges against Kangiwa, and the police in Birnin Kebbi have declined to provide details.
The incident adds to a pattern of pressure on journalists in Nigeria who expose poor public services, corruption, or official negligence. Already, the arrest has drawn renewed attention from press freedom advocates, legal rights groups, and civil society. Many are demanding stronger protections for journalists and accountability for public officials who suppress critical reportage.
For citizens reliant on public health services, the state’s response is deeply worrying, not just because of the hospital’s condition, but because the messenger pointing it out is being punished.
References –
https://punchng.com/activists-condemn-arrest-of-journalist-who-exposed-kebbi-hospitals-neglect/
