Arrest, Detention Of Security Analyst, Kurfi, Amnesty International Warns Katsina State Govt

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Amnesty International has expressed shock and disappointment over the arrest and detention of Security Analyst, Dr Bashir Kurfi by the Police, describing the development as arbitrary and a deliberate assault on freedom of expression.

Kurfi, the Convener of the Katsina Security Community Initiative, KSCI, was recently seized by the police, allegedly, on the orders of the Katsina state Government over a purported television interview wherein he accused the state authorities of sponsoring some banditry kingpins to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage.

According to Bakatsine, a known Security expert, and reporter on the security challenges in the Northwest region, Dr Kurfi had, during the said television interview, alleged that about seven banditry kingpins who were recently intercepted by security operatives at the Katsina Airport on their way from the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia, were all sponsored to the Muslim pilgrimage to the tune of N10 million each by the Katsina State authorities.

Bashir, who, allegedly pointed the Holy Land trip as part of the wider peace deal believed to have been entered into between the insurgents and the Katsina state Government, however, questioned the effectiveness of the approach in resolving the festering insecurity both in the state and and the NorthWest.

His arrest and subsequent detention by the police, was said to be on the strength of a petition written by the statement Government through some of its officials.

Bashir was said to have during the interview session expressed serious concern ,and reservation over Government peace agreements with armed groups, alleging that banditry lords, after benefitting immensely from Government patronage have continued to attack and kill innocent residents.

The police reportedly detained  Bashir, after he voluntarily honoured an invitation.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Amnesty International raised the alarm that there are ongoing orchestrated efforts to indefinitely detain the activist through the manipulation of the police, and the judiciary.

The human rights body alleged that there are coordinated plots to raise thrump-up charges, through a shambolic judicial process , with a view to silencing Kurfi.

Particularly, the International human rights organization accused the Katsina state Government of desperately looking for ways to get even with t Kurfi, for daring to raise the issue of the alleged sponsorship and celebration of terror lords.

Amnesty International expressed serious concern that rather than investigating the disturbing issues raised in the interview, the Katsina State authorities have resorted to arm-twisting and intimidation of Kurfi.

The International human rights organization noted that the move by the authorities to go against Kurfi, amounts to a brazen attempt to suppress dissent and discourage public scrutiny of the State Governments activities, especially its handling of the issue of insecurity.

“No one should be punished for criticizing the Government ,or probing officials dealings.

“Dr Bashir Kurfi did not commit any crime and his arrest shows clear abuse of power. It is perfectly within his right to raise questions or criticize any Government policy”, Amnesty International stated.