Kano-based broadcast journalist Ibrahim Ishaq, popularly known as Dan’uwa Rano, has regained his freedom after being detained for several days at the Zone 1 Police Headquarters in Kano.
His release followed mounting pressure from rights groups, including the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Amnesty International, and several civil society organizations, who condemned his arrest as unlawful and an attempt to suppress press freedom.
Dan’uwa Rano was arrested after a petition filed by Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who accused the journalist of defamation over an online audio commentary aired on Dan’uwa Rano TV.
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Sources said the commentary, which referenced alleged corruption involving government officials, did not directly mention Rogo’s name but was widely interpreted as pointing toward him.
Court and investigation documents previously reviewed by Daily Nigerian revealed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have linked Rogo to the diversion of over ₦6.5 billion in public funds. The funds were allegedly laundered through companies such as H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited.
Investigations have so far led to the recovery of ₦1.1 billion, while a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the forfeiture of ₦142.2 million linked to Rogo to the ICPC.
The CITAD, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Y. Z. Ya’u, said Rano’s arrest was “unwarranted and represents a dangerous trend of intolerance and misuse of power to intimidate journalists.” The organization reminded authorities that freedom of expression and media rights are protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.
Similarly, Amnesty International described the journalist’s detention as “a violation of constitutional rights and a misuse of law enforcement to silence dissenting voices.”
Rano’s arrest and detention drew widespread criticism across Nigeria’s media and civic space, with many describing it as an embarrassment to democratic governance.
He was finally released on Tuesday evening after intense public pressure. Speaking briefly after regaining his freedom, Dan’uwa Rano expressed gratitude to journalists, rights defenders, and the public for standing by him, saying:
“This is not just about me — it’s about the freedom of the press in Kano and Nigeria as a whole. The truth cannot be silenced.”
Civil society organizations have called on the Nigeria Police and Kano State Government to respect journalists’ rights and ensure that future grievances are addressed through lawful and transparent processes.