The Nigerian Police have detained Atom Magira, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), over alleged criticism of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.
Magira’s personal assistant, Mohammed Yahaya, confirmed his arrest, stating that operatives of the Borno State Police Command took him into custody on Sunday night.
Magira, who contested as an All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 elections, has emerged as a prominent opposition voice in Borno State, frequently criticizing Governor Zulum’s policies.
Sources informed Daily Nigerian that his detention is tied to a billboard campaign supporting the “YES TO MERGER” initiative, which advocates for the merger of political parties in the state. The billboard, featuring Magira’s image and the slogan “Say Yes To Merger,” was reportedly vandalized by unknown individuals.
“It is on the orders of the state government. They don’t want a serious opposition in the state. Whoever will do that will be crippled; that’s the norm since 1999. But Magira has remained consistent to offer credible and constructive opposition in Borno State,” a source alleged.
As of Monday morning, Magira remains in detention, with no indication of whether he will face formal charges.
Efforts to obtain a comment from ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, were unsuccessful.
