#FreeDawisu: SERAP Calls For Release Of Salihu Tanko Yakassai |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights and Civil Society Organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has joined other Nigerians to demand the immediate release of Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who was allegedly arrested by the Department of State Services.

In a tweet by the Organization on its official Twitter handle, it called for the release of the sacked aide of Governor Abdullah Ganduje of Kano State.

“We condemn the unlawful arrest of journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.

“Nigerian authorities should stop shutting up critics. Authorities must immediately, and unconditionally release Mr Yakasai,” SERAP tweeted.

The group also criticized the Kano State government for sacking the journalist, saying the state authorities “are making a mockery of  the Nigerian Constitution”.

“Kano State authorities are making a mockery of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights obligations by sacking journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for allegedly criticising the government of President Buhari. Peaceful dissent is not a crime”.

Yakasai, Special Adviser on Media to Kano State Governor, Ganduje, was sacked on Saturday for criticising the All Progressives Congress and the regime of the President Muhammadu Buhari over the growing insecurity in the country.