The Borno State Police Command has clarified that five young men arrested while wearing T-shirts with the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” were not detained for political reasons but for alleged drug possession and conduct likely to cause a public disturbance. The clarification comes amid widespread public criticism that the arrests were politically motivated.
Police Statement on Arrests
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Kenneth Daso, denied that the arrests amounted to a crackdown on free speech. According to The Punch, the command said officers on routine township patrol arrested the five men near the West-end roundabout in Maiduguri on September 25, 2026, at around 6:00 p.m.
The suspects were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed. Items recovered during the arrest included 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, one shisha pot, a pair of scissors, and two T-shirts bearing the “Tinubu Must Go” inscription.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The suspects were charged before a court on counts of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery. The prosecution said these offences fall under Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. Their lawyers filed a bail application, and the court adjourned to October 6, 2026, for a ruling on bail, with the substantive trial scheduled for October 26, 2026.
“The command wishes to categorically state that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional, non-partisan institution and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of political affiliation or viewpoint,” ASP Daso said, adding that the decision to charge the suspects was meant to allow the judiciary to determine the matter on its merits.
Amnesty International Rejects Drug Claims
Amnesty International responded sharply, dismissing the drug allegation as a new narrative introduced after public backlash over the initial charges. According to Daily Trust, the rights organisation said the police had first accused the five men of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, and thuggery, and that now linking them to drugs “manifests a desperate attempt to punish them for their peaceful political activities.”
“The five men must be released immediately and unconditionally. Holding and expressing dissenting political opinion is not a crime,” Amnesty said in its statement. The organisation described the drug allegations as a “familiar playbook” used to justify political repression, and called on both the Nigeria Police and the Borno State Government to stop what it characterised as arbitrary arrests of opposition members and supporters.
Wider Concerns and Political Reactions
Amnesty International warned that such actions risk further narrowing civic space and freedom of expression across the state. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), demanded the immediate release of the five Nigerians. In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the ADC presidential campaign council, Atiku said the reported arrests raised questions about freedom of expression in Nigeria.
