CITAD Demands Release of NYSC Member Detained Over Facebook Post in Katsina

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the immediate release of Zakariyya Kabeer Gwagwarwa, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member currently detained in Katsina State over a social media post.

Zakariyya, a native of Kano State serving in Katsina, was reportedly arrested by police on the orders of a federal lawmaker representing Nassarawa Federal Constituency in Kano. His alleged offense was a brief Facebook post that read: “Company Pampers must go Sabuwar Nassarawa 2027 Insha Allahu.”

CITAD, in a statement released Tuesday by its Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, described the arrest as an abuse of power and a violation of Zakariyya’s constitutional right to free expression.

“Instead of being granted bail, Zakariyya has been held incommunicado for days without access to his family,” the statement read. “When he was eventually taken to court, the case was adjourned for two weeks, prolonging his ordeal.”

The organization also raised concerns over reports that Zakariyya was physically assaulted while in custody — a troubling development, especially in the wake of the recent death of a young imam from Dorayi allegedly in police custody.

CITAD condemned the arrest as an attempt to silence young Nigerians and warned against the growing trend of using security agencies for political intimidation.

“We urge the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the rule of law and stop serving as enforcers for politicians. Zakariyya’s continued detention is a clear violation of his fundamental rights,” CITAD said.

The group also appealed to the judiciary to ensure a fair process and to resist any external political pressure in the handling of the case.

“Silencing young people for expressing their opinions is a dangerous threat to our democracy,” the organization warned.