A journalist in Kebbi State, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, has been detained after releasing a video showcasing the poor conditions at Kangiwa General Hospital. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, depicted patients lying on bare metal beds without mattresses, igniting public outrage and drawing renewed attention to the state’s healthcare system.
Activists and critics have condemned Kangiwa's detention, accusing state authorities of attempting to silence reporting rather than addressing the systemic neglect highlighted by the video.
Similarly, the Take It Back Movement, a pro-democracy advocacy group that campaigns for government accountability and transparency, also condemned the arrest. Posting on X, the group stated, “Kebbi Gov. Nasir Idris has detained journalist Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa for exposing the rot in government hospitals. This is sheer tyranny! We demand Hassan’s immediate release. Silencing truth will not stop the people’s resistance!”
The incident raises serious questions regarding press freedom and government transparency in the state. Many observers argue that instead of investigating the deficiencies revealed in the video, authorities have chosen to target the messenger, sending a chilling message to journalists who report on public service failures.
Media freedom groups and civil society organizations have called for the immediate release of Kangiwa, emphasizing that journalists play a critical role in holding public officials accountable and keeping citizens informed about issues that affect their wellbeing.
This case underscores the ongoing tension between Nigerian journalists and government officials regarding accountability in public institutions.