In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Lagos, Wednesday, 18/02/2026
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrest and continued detention of Abubakar Affan by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his peaceful civic expression regarding international accountability for alleged war crimes. His detention without full constitutional safeguards, as contained in Amnesty International report, raises urgent questions about the direction of civil liberty protections in Nigeria.
When a citizen is punished for lawful expression, it signals more than enforcement – it signals repression. Such actions create a toxic climate of fear and self-censorship that deprives citizens of their fundamental right to freedom of expression and weakens the democratic fabric of the nation.
Mr. Affan’s advocacy relates to calls for international justice involving Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under global legal scrutiny in proceedings associated with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Demanding accountability through peaceful means is a constitutionally protected act, not a crime.
It will be remembered that South Africa filed a case against Israel at the ICJ accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza, in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention. The case, titled “Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel),” was instituted on December 29, 2023.
Nigeria has yet to join the case against Israel at the ICJ, despite calls to do so. In contrast, several countries have heeded the call, including Spain, Ireland, Libya, Mexico, Belgium, Türkiye, and Comoros, which have joined the proceedings.
It’s deeply troubling that state authorities’ response to Abubakar Affan’s advocacy appears disproportionate and punitive. By targeting a pro-Palestinian advocate, the DSS risks giving the impression that it’s more interested in shielding Israel’s actions in the occupied territories than upholding the constitutional rights and freedoms of Nigerians. As custodians of national security, institutions must ensure their actions don’t raise doubts about whose interests they truly serve.
This pattern is not without precedent. In August 2025, Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, a leader of the Palestinian community in Nigeria, was arrested in Abuja, reportedly linked to his public advocacy against attacks on journalists and civilians in Gaza. His later release without trial reinforced public concern that enforcement powers may be deployed in ways that serves foreign interests, while suppressing legitimate humanitarian or political expression.
Nigeria must not criminalize pro-Palestinian advocacy or create a system where peaceful dissent is misconstrued as a threat. With Benjamin Netanyahu facing allegations at the International Court of Justice, it’s essential to protect the right to voice dissenting opinions. A democracy that stifles conscience undermines its own legitimacy and sets a dangerous precedent.
MPAC therefore demands:
– The immediate and unconditional release of Abubakar Affan.
– Full restoration of his constitutional rights, including access to legal counsel and family.
– Public disclosure of the lawful basis for his arrest.
– Independent oversight into security agency conducts concerning civic expression.
A nation’s true strength is measured not by its ability to wield power over its citizens to protect the powerful or fugitives, but by its unwavering commitment to upholding justice, protecting fundamental human rights, and preserving the freedom of conscience. For Nigeria, the choice is clear: liberty must triumph over intimidation, the rule of law must prevail over expediency, and justice must be prioritized over fear.
