A journalist in Kebbi State, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, has been arrested after sharing a video that exposed the poor state of facilities at Kangiwa General Hospital. The footage, which went viral on social media, showed patients lying on bare metal beds without mattresses, sparking widespread outrage and drawing attention to the state’s struggling healthcare system.
Critics and activists have condemned the arrest, accusing the state government of silencing the press instead of addressing the problems highlighted in the video. Human rights advocate Dan Bello, in a video posted on X, described the detention as “a new wave of tyranny” and demanded Kangiwa’s release. A group post also accused Governor Nasiru Idris of ordering the arrest, insisting that “silencing truth will not stop the people’s resistance.”
The incident has raised fresh concerns about press freedom and transparency in Kebbi. Observers argue that authorities are punishing the journalist rather than fixing systemic neglect, sending a worrying signal to others reporting on public service shortcomings. Media rights organisations and civil society groups have urged Kangiwa’s immediate release, stressing that journalists are crucial in holding leaders accountable and keeping citizens informed about issues affecting their lives.
The case reflects the growing friction between Nigerian journalists and government officials over accountability in public institutions and underscores the importance of protecting press freedom to ensure transparency and uphold the public’s right to information.
Source: https://punchng.com/
