CITAD Urges Politicians to Stop Misusing Police and Demands Release of Blogger Manjala

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned the arrest of Kwara-based blogger Ajala Adeshina Shuaib, popularly known as Manjala.

The organisation described it as another example of politicians using the police to silence critics.

CITAD raised the alarm in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the arrest was made after a petition by Tunji Buhari Sulyman, a legislative aide to Senator Saliu Mustapha.

According to the organisation, the incident is a blatant misuse of law enforcement powers and a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The group said Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees Nigerians the right to express their opinions, adding that arresting people for criticism or commentary undermines democracy.

“The Nigeria Police Force is not a private militia for politicians. Its job is to protect lives and property, not to intimidate citizens or pursue political vendettas.”

CITAD expressed concern that at a time when insecurity remains a major national challenge, police officers were being deployed to arrest a blogger over a Facebook post. It said such actions weaken public trust and discourage civic participation.

“This trend of arbitrary arrests creates fear among journalists, digital creators, youth, and human rights defenders. Democracy cannot flourish where dissent is treated as a crime.”

CITAD called on the police to immediately stop what it described as the misuse of the institution for political interests and focus on their constitutional duties. It also demanded the unconditional release of Manjala.

The organisation further advised the petitioner, Mr. Sulyman, to seek legal redress if he feels defamed rather than using the police as a tool for self-help.

CITAD also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the issue, saying the growing use of security agencies to settle personal or political scores is harmful to Nigeria’s democratic system.

It appealed to the President to direct the Inspector-General of Police to issue clear guidelines preventing the arrest of citizens over defamation or political disagreements.

Civic and digital spaces must be protected adding that security agencies should never be turned into instruments of oppression.

“CITAD stands firmly with journalists, digital creators, activists, and all Nigerians who speak truth to power, and will not allow intimidation to silence advocacy for a safer, freer, and more democratic Nigeria and for citizens to freely express their opinions using social media.”