- Journalist arrested after filming poor hospital condition in Kebbi.
- Activists condemn arrest, demand his immediate release.
- Arrest allegedly ordered by state authorities; no official statement yet.
A journalist in Kebbi State, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, has been detained following the release of a viral video that revealed the deplorable condition of a government hospital in the state.
EKO HOT BLOG confirms that the video stirred widespread criticism online, was recorded at the Kangiwa General Hospital and shows an elderly patient lying on a metal bed frame without a mattress drawing public concern over the state of public healthcare in the area.
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Reports suggest that Kangiwa was arrested on the orders of the state authorities shortly after the video began to circulate across social media platforms.
Reacting to the development, human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, condemned the arrest, describing it as a deliberate attempt to silence the truth. He said, “Detaining a journalist for exposing the failure of public institutions is nothing short of tyranny. No true comrade or progressive should stand behind such repression.”
Pro-democracy group, the Take It Back Movement, also expressed outrage, calling for Kangiwa’s immediate release. In a statement, the group said, “This is a blatant abuse of power. Instead of addressing the terrible state of the hospital, the government is going after those revealing the truth.”
The situation has sparked online protests, with the hashtag #FreeHassanKangiwaNow trending as citizens demand accountability from the Kebbi State Government. Many users expressed frustration, saying the arrest reflects misplaced priorities.
A social media user commented, “They should be fixing the hospital, not arresting the person showing the reality.”
As of Wednesday evening, neither the state government nor the police in Birnin Kebbi had issued any official statement confirming the arrest or outlining the charges against Kangiwa.
Human rights groups and media freedom advocates have since joined calls for his unconditional release, warning against the growing trend of targeting journalists for exposing public sector failures.
