TheCable

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for a nationwide protest against the detention of Aminu Muhammad, a student of the Federal University of Dutse (FUD).

Muhammad was arrested by the police over a tweet that appeared to mock Aisha Buhari, wife of the president.

The tweet, which was posted in Hausa in June 2022, reads: “Su mama anchi kudin talkawa ankoshi.”

The tweet, accompanied by a photo of Aisha, loosely translates as “Mama has eaten poor people’s money and is now full”.

On Wednesday, Muhammad was remanded in prison following his arraignment before a high court in the federal capital territory (FCT).

Muhammad’s arrest has generated criticism, with many Nigerians calling for his release.

TheCable had earlier reported that NANS had apologised to Aisha over the tweet.

In a statement to its members on Thursday, Usman Barambu, NANS president, condemned Muhammad’s detention and demanded his release.

“Sequel to the exhaustion of all options available to us before confrontation in seeking the freedom of one of us who was arrested in questionable manner, tortured, molested, harassed and detained by agents of government, you are hereby notified of the decision of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students to proceed on a nationwide protest,” the statement reads.

“We have consulted and consolidated and neither yielded desirable results in seeking the freedom of Aminu Adamu Muhammed, student of the Federal University Dutse, hence the protest shall commence as follows: Monday, 5th December 2022, Nationwide.”

Barambu added that the demonstration will continue until the student is released “unconditionally”.