The Borno State Police Command has clarified the arrest of five men in Maiduguri who were wearing "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts. According to the police, the suspects were apprehended during a routine township patrol on September 25, 2026, around the West End Roundabout area. The police found them with suspected Indian hemp, tablets, and other items, alongside the T-shirts with the political inscription.
The suspects, identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed, were charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery. The police said the decision to prosecute the matter was made to enable a competent court to determine the case through the judicial process.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, issued a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, clarifying that the arrests were not based on the suspects' political views. The command rejected any suggestion that the arrests were made because of the suspects' political affiliation or viewpoint.
According to the police, the suspects were found in possession of 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, one shisha pot, one scissors, and two T-shirts bearing the inscription "Tinubu Must Go." The police said statements were obtained from the suspects during preliminary investigations before the case was taken to court.
The Borno State Police Command remains committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, the rule of law, due process, accountability, and transparency in the discharge of its responsibilities. The command urged members of the public to depend on verified information and allow the court to assess the facts and evidence presented before it.
Earlier reports had identified the suspects as wearing the "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts allegedly with the intention of causing a breach of public peace around the West End Roundabout community. The suspects were arraigned and remanded after being charged with various offences under relevant sections of the Borno State Penal Code.
The Nigeria Police Force is a professional, non-partisan institution that does not discriminate against persons on the basis of political affiliation or viewpoint. The command's clarification aims to address public controversy and widespread discussions about the case, emphasizing that the arrests were based on the suspects' alleged possession of suspected drug substances and other items.
Key points
- The Borno State Police Command clarified that the arrest of five men wearing "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts was not based on their political views.
- The suspects were found in possession of suspected Indian hemp, tablets, and other items, alongside the T-shirts with the political inscription.
- The police remain committed to protecting fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
