Human rights advocate Nassirou Bodo has been remanded in custody at Niamey’s central prison following his arraignment before judicial authorities, local sources confirmed late Wednesday.
Civil society spokesperson Kaka Touda verified the detention on social media but provided no further details regarding the charges, which stem from a police custody period. Meanwhile, the privately-owned newspaper L’Enquêteur disclosed that the activist faces accusations of « disseminating information likely to disrupt public order ».
A week prior, Mr. Bodo had urged Nigeriens to launch a year-long campaign—extendable—of protests targeting what he described as systemic state violence against civilians. In a widely shared Facebook post, he cited « escalating insecurity in multiple regions » and « unlawful forced evictions »—including the ongoing displacement of residents near Niamey’s airport, a site targeted in a January 29 attack claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS).
Government officials defend these evictions as necessary to mitigate « terrorist threats » against the capital. Authorities allege that the demolished structures were built illegally, though critics argue the demolitions inflict further hardship on vulnerable populations.
The West African nation has grappled with escalating jihadist violence linked to both Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated factions. Since the military seized power in July 2023, crackdowns on dissent have intensified: journalists, activists, and civil society leaders have faced arrests, detentions, and convictions on charges ranging from defamation to national security threats and undermining state authority.
United Nations data indicates at least 13 journalists were detained in Niger in early 2025. Of those, three—including a correspondent for Deutsche Welle—were released in early May after months behind bars, while five remain incarcerated, local press watchdogs report. Prominent activist Moussa Tchangari, a vocal critic of the junta, has been held without trial since December 2024 on allegations including « glorifying terrorism and endangering state security ».
