Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has called on the Niger authorities to “immediately” release detained journalist, Samira Sabou, who was arrested two days ago in the country’s capital Niamey.
According to the RSF, Sabou was picked up at her home on Saturday September 30, 02023 and her family has since had no news of where about.
“Since journalist Samira Sabou was arrested at her home on 30 September, her family has had no news of her. RSF calls on the Niger authorities to reveal where she is being held and to allow her lawyer to see her. She must be released without delay”, RSF wrote on social media networking site X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, reports in the Nigerien local media indicate that Samira Sabou was arrested “at around 17:30 (16:30 GMT) in Niamey” but the reason for her arrest is not yet known.
The journalist was imprisoned in June 2020 and tried on defamation charges following publications concerning the over-invoicing of military equipment purchases, before being acquitted.
She was arrested following a complaint lodged by Sani Mahamadou Issoufou, the son and former deputy chief of staff of former president Mahamadou Issoufou (2011-2021).
Niger has been ruled for more than two months by a military junta that came to power in a coup d’état that overthrew democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
