The Borno State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of five men who were wearing T-shirts with the inscription "Tinubu Must Go". According to the police, the men were arrested on September 25, 2026, during a routine patrol around the West End Roundabout in Maiduguri. The police stated that the suspects were picked up for alleged actions capable of disrupting public peace, not for their choice of clothing.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, disclosed that the suspects were arrested at about 6 pm and that items recovered from them included 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, a pair of scissors, and two T-shirts bearing the words "Tinubu Must Go". The police said the suspects were subjected to preliminary investigation, during which their statements were recorded.
The police clarified that the arrest was not related to the political message on the shirts, but rather due to the suspects' alleged involvement in activities linked to disturbance, breach of public peace, and thuggery. The Command stressed that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional and non-partisan institution that does not discriminate against individuals on account of their political affiliation or views.
The police said the matter was taken before a competent court for further proceedings after the initial investigation. The clarification was issued after reports circulated widely, prompting public concerns that the suspects had been arrested over their choice of clothing and the political message displayed on the shirts.
The Command said presenting the matter before the court would enable the appropriate judicial authorities to consider the facts and evidence in accordance with due process. The police's clarification aims to alleviate concerns about the arrest and prosecution of the five men.
The incident occurred amid heightened political tensions in Nigeria, with various groups and individuals expressing their opinions on social media and in public gatherings. The police's statement seeks to reassure the public that the arrest was based on the suspects' alleged actions, not their political views.
The five men are currently facing prosecution, and the court will determine their fate based on the evidence presented. The police's clarification has helped to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the public will be watching closely as the case unfolds.
Key points
- The Nigeria Police Force is a professional and non-partisan institution that does not discriminate against individuals on account of their political affiliation or views.
- The five men were arrested for alleged actions capable of disrupting public peace, not for wearing 'Tinubu Must Go' T-shirts.
- The matter has been taken before a competent court for further proceedings.
