Activist nassirou bodo jailed in Niger after junta criticism

In a move that has intensified concerns over civil liberties in Niger, prominent activist Nassirou Bodo was remanded in custody at Niamey Central Prison on Wednesday. The decision followed his publication of sharply critical remarks against the country’s military leadership on social media, a source close to the case confirmed.

Local reports indicate that Bodo faces charges of “disseminating data likely to disrupt public order”, a legal provision increasingly invoked in recent months against dissenting voices within the West African nation. His arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on critics of the military regime that assumed power in July 2023.

activist calls for year-long protest against state violence

In a Facebook post made earlier this week, Nassirou Bodo urged Nigerien citizens to embark on a “year-long campaign of protest and disapproval” against what he described as systemic state violence. The call was framed as a response to what he termed “social violence” perpetrated by authorities, including “insecurity across multiple regions” and the “unjust eviction” of residents living near Niamey International Airport.

Local authorities have defended the demolitions near the airport, which began after an ISIS-affiliated attack on January 29, as necessary to mitigate “terrorist risks”. Officials claim the structures were illegally constructed and constitute a security threat.

pressures mount as journalists and activists face detention

The arrest of Nassirou Bodo reflects a tightening environment for dissent in Niger. Since the military takeover in mid-2023, journalists, civil society leaders, and opposition figures have been increasingly targeted. Authorities have used charges such as defamation, national security breaches, and even terrorism-related accusations to detain critics.

According to official records, 13 journalists were arrested in 2025 alone. While some have since been released after months in detention, five remain behind bars. Among them is Moussa Tchangari, a well-known civil society figure detained since December 2024 on charges including “apology for terrorism” and “attacks on state security”.