The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, a journalist detained in Kebbi State after publishing a viral video showing the deplorable state of facilities at the Kangiwa General Hospital.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday via his verified 𝕏 handle, accused the APC-led Kebbi State Government of attempting to silence accountability journalism instead of addressing the rot in the healthcare system.
“We call on the Kebbi State Government to immediately release Hassan and respect the fundamental rights of journalists to report the truth,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the party would continue to circulate the video until Kangiwa regains his freedom and the government fixes the health sector failures highlighted.
Below is the video clip shared online by Kangiwa.
Outrage Over Arrest
Naija News learnt that Kangiwa was detained allegedly on the orders of Governor Nasiru Idris after his footage, which showed patients lying on bare metal beds without mattresses, sparked public outrage on social media.
A human rights advocate, Dan Bello, who joined hundreds of Nigerians in reaction, described the arrest as “a new wave of tyranny,” insisting it was a calculated attempt to gag journalists and intimidate citizens from speaking out.
Similarly, the Take It Back Movement, a pro-democracy advocacy group, condemned the detention, calling it “sheer tyranny.”
Posting on 𝕏, the group wrote: “Kebbi Gov. Nasir Idris has thrown journalist Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa in detention for exposing the rot in govt hospitals. This is sheer tyranny! We demand Hassan’s immediate release. Silencing truth will not stop the people’s resistance.”
See another video below.
Press Freedom Under Threat
The arrest has sparked wider concerns about press freedom and transparency in Kebbi State. Civil society organisations and media freedom groups warned that targeting journalists rather than fixing service delivery failures sends a “chilling message” to reporters nationwide.
Observers argued that instead of investigating the poor state of healthcare facilities, the government had opted to punish the messenger, undermining the role of journalism in holding leaders accountable.
“This case underlines the importance of safeguarding press freedom to ensure transparency and protect citizens’ right to information,” one civil society leader said.
Kebbi Govt Should Address The Urgent Concerns – ADC
In his tweet on Thursday afternoon, Abdullahi reiterated that the ADC stands firmly behind Kangiwa and urged Nigerians to amplify the call for his release.
“I urge all Nigerians who believe in accountability and good governance to repost this video until two things happen: Hassan is released unconditionally, and the Kebbi State Government addresses the urgent concerns raised about its healthcare system,” the ADC chieftain declared.
However, as of press time, the Kebbi State Government had yet to issue an official response to the widespread condemnations trailing the journalist’s detention.
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