Amnesty International’s Sahel researcher, Ousmane Diallo, has expressed profound alarm following the forced disappearance of Samira Sabou, a prominent Nigerian journalist and blogger. Ms. Sabou was reportedly abducted from her home on September 30 by masked individuals identifying themselves as security personnel.

We are deeply disturbed by the forced disappearance of Samira Sabou and urgently call upon the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her swift, unconditional release. Should the authorities genuinely be unaware of her detention location, an immediate and thorough investigation is imperative. Each passing day further infringes upon Samira Sabou’s fundamental rights to liberty and a fair trial, heightening her vulnerability to torture or other forms of ill-treatment.

Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa

Samira Sabou is widely recognized as a dedicated human rights advocate and a vocal critic of corruption. Her forced disappearance is strongly suspected to be a direct consequence of her fervent activism and recent public condemnations of arbitrary arrests carried out by the CNSP.

“Niger is a signatory to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We implore the CNSP to uphold its human rights commitments under both national and international law, which encompass the prohibition of forced disappearances and the safeguarding of freedom of expression and press freedom. Furthermore, we urge them to respect and protect human rights defenders, whose rights are enshrined in Articles 4, 6, and 7 of the June 2022 law concerning the rights and duties of human rights defenders, as well as by international statutes.”

Further details on Samira Sabou’s case

Samira Sabou holds a prominent position as a journalist, activist, and president of the Bloggers of Niger association. On September 30, 2023, she was apprehended at her mother’s residence in Niamey by several masked individuals who identified themselves as security personnel. These masked men presented professional identification cards before compelling Samira to accompany them into a vehicle, where she was blindfolded and transported to a location unknown to her family or legal counsel. Since her arrest, neither her family nor her lawyer has been able to communicate with her or ascertain her whereabouts. The criminal investigation division of the Niamey police department has also stated it has no knowledge of the incident.

This incident is not isolated; other recent violations have targeted individuals merely exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

For instance, on October 3, Samira Ibrahim, a social media user also known as “Precious Mimi,” received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a 300,000 CFA franc (approximately 479 USD) fine. Her conviction was for “producing data likely to disturb public order,” stemming from a Facebook post where she referenced Algeria’s refusal to acknowledge Niger’s new government.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter