The police in Niger State detained the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel and People’s Daily, Yakubu Mustapha Bina, for several hours on Wednesday and confiscated his mobile phone.

Mustapha was invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna, where he was held from 1pm to 6pm over allegations that he shared an article critical of Aisha Wakaso, the Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Print Media.

The police action followed a criminal complaint filed against Mustapha at the Minna Magistrate Court by Wakaso, who alleged that he circulated the article on WhatsApp without verifying its authenticity.

The article reportedly accused her of restricting journalists’ access to the governor, a claim she deemed defamatory.

This is the second time Mustapha has been invited by security agencies on the orders of the Niger State Government.

In January, the Department of State Services (DSS) also held him for hours over a report on banditry attacks.

During his detention, police reportedly warned they would examine his phone for similar alleged offences.

Mustapha was ordered to return for further questioning on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11am.

Confirming the incident, Niger State Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, said “Aisha Wakaso reported a criminal complaint against Yakubu Bina and Ahmed Fodio for defamation, falsehood and cyberbullying through an article written by Fodio and circulated by Bina on social media.”The two suspects were invited, interrogated, and the matter remains under investigation at SCID Minna.”