As the fourth week since his abduction by unidentified individuals in Niamey passes, there is still no news of Nigerian journalist Moussa Kaka. The lack of response from Nigerian authorities, despite repeated appeals from press and human rights groups, has led to growing concerns about the involvement of the Direction générale de la documentation et de la sécurité extérieure (DGDSE), a branch of the country's intelligence services. Moussa Kaka, a former correspondent for RFI and the general director of the Radio-télévision Saraounia (RTS) media group, was kidnapped on August 31 while returning home in his 4x4 vehicle. The abduction took place at night, between his office and his residence, and the circumstances suggest it was conducted by trained individuals. Moussa Kaka, a respected field reporter and one of the most informed journalists in Niger, had long been aware of being targeted by the military junta that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. In November 2025, he was charged with four other Nigerian journalists after they published an invitation to a press conference by the Fund for Solidarity for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (FSSP) on social media. Although he narrowly avoided imprisonment, as the investigating judge granted him provisional release, the charges highlight the increasing pressure on journalists in the region. The abduction of Moussa Kaka reflects the growing challenges faced by independent journalism in Niger, now under military rule. A law passed in June 2024 by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the junta, claims to combat cybercrime but effectively restricts journalism. Article 31 of the law states that anyone who shares information online that could disrupt public order or harm human dignity faces prison time and fines. The law also specifies that no mitigating circumstances or procedural suspensions can be applied, and the offense is considered committed even if the data is later proven to be false. This is not the first time Moussa Kaka has faced conflict with Nigerian authorities due to his professional independence. He was imprisoned for a year in 2007–2008 under President Mamadou Tandja, who accused him of ties to the Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (MNJ), a Tuareg rebel group in northern Niger. Despite these challenges, Moussa Kaka has consistently demonstrated resilience, and there is confidence he will recover from this ordeal as well. In the meantime, a new media initiative called Sahel Horizon has launched in June 2026 by journalists from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger who are in exile in Ghana. The initiative asserts that "Sahelians also have the right to information" and provides critical analyses and reports on regional issues, including security concerns and human rights in the Sahel. It aims to support journalists still working in the region while highlighting the dangers they face in an environment where press freedom is increasingly restricted.