Press Freedom Under Fire: Kebbi Authorities Detain Journalist Over Hospital Rot Expose

Journalist detained in Kebbi State over a viral video exposing the deplorable state of a government hospital has ignited a nationwide debate on press freedom and government accountability. The arrest of the reporter, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, for simply documenting what he found inside a public health facility has been widely condemned.
Kangiwa’s video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, offered a raw and unfiltered look at the conditions at Kangiwa General Hospital. The footage, a stark indictment of the healthcare system, showed an elderly patient frail and exposed, lying on a bare metal bed frame with no mattress. This visual proof of neglect triggered a torrent of public anger,with many questioning why officials would target the person who brought the issue to light rather than fix the systemic failures he exposed.Prominent activist Omoyele Sowore was swift to denounce the action, labeling it an act of “tyranny.” He accused state officials of suppressing free speech, stating, “A fake comrade who detains journalists for exposing government failures should not be tolerated.” The incident highlights a critical tension between the right of journalists to report on public issues and the resistance from government bodies to unflattering scrutiny.