Niger activist detained amid rising dissent under military rule

Activist Nassirou Bodo has been remanded in custody at Niamey’s main detention center following his arraignment, as confirmed by local reports. His detention comes after a period of police questioning, though authorities have not disclosed the specific charges against him.

Civil society leader Kaka Touda corroborated the news on social media, acknowledging Bodo’s incarceration without elaborating on the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Earlier reports from a private daily newspaper indicated that the activist faces allegations of «disseminating information likely to disrupt public order».

In a recent Facebook post, Bodo urged Nigeriens to protest against what he described as systemic state violence. His call for action, launched on June 1st and intended to last one year with possible renewal, targets issues such as rampant insecurity in multiple regions and the forced evictions of residents near Niamey’s airport. The evictions, still ongoing, were triggered by a January 29th attack on the airport, claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS).

Government officials justify these demolitions as a measure to mitigate «terrorism risks», claiming that illegally constructed homes pose security threats. However, critics argue that such actions disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

Niger continues to grapple with escalating violence from jihadist factions linked to Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State. Since the military takeover in July 2023, the country has witnessed a crackdown on dissent, with journalists, activists, and civil society members facing arrests, detentions, and in some cases, convictions for defamation, national security breaches, and conspiracy against state authority.

United Nations data reveals that 13 journalists were arrested in Niger in 2025. Of these, three—including a correspondent for a European broadcaster—were released in early May after months behind bars. Five journalists remain imprisoned, according to local press freedom organizations.

Among those still detained is Moussa Tchangari, a prominent civil society figure and vocal critic of the military regime. Tchangari has been held since December 2024 on charges including «apology for terrorism» and «endangering state security».