The Nigerien junta have detained three journalists working for the independent Sahara FM radio station, marking the latest crackdown on press freedom since the military seized power in 2023.
The journalists — Hamid Mahmoud, the station’s news editor; Mahaman Sani, who filed the report; and Massaouda Jaharou — were arrested this week in the northern city of Agadez. Their detention follows a broadcast reporting the termination of security contract between Niger and Russia.
Niger, which continues to face violent threats from extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, has been under military rule since the July 2023 coup.
Sources in the country say that although a judge ordered their release after a court appearance, police rearrested the journalists shortly afterwards.
These arrests are part of a broader trend. Several journalists have been detained in Niger in recent months for covering stories involving the ruling military junta. Civil society and human rights organisations report a rise in abuses and violations of civil liberties since the coup in the West African nation.
According to Aïr-Info Agadez, the three journalists from Sahara FM—Hamid Mahmoud, Massaouda Jaharou, and Mahaman Sani—were first arrested by police between Wednesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 8, 2025. The station is part of the Aïr Info media group.
The journalists were reportedly detained for sharing information initially published by the news site LSI, which alleged a breakdown in intelligence cooperation between Niger and its international partners, Russia and Turkey.
After appearing before a judge on Friday, May 9, they were released without charges.
However, just hours later—overnight between Friday and Saturday—the police re-arrested the trio.
Massaouda was reportedly picked up around 1:00 a.m., while Hamid and Mahaman were detained around 7:00 a.m. They are currently being held at the Agadez police station, where, as of midday Saturday, they were said to still be undergoing interrogation.
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