Trending 
The Borno State Police Command has denied claims that it arrested five men solely for wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
The command, in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said the suspects were also found in possession of suspected drugs and other items.
It added that its officers apprehended the five suspects on September 25 around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri while on a routine township patrol.
“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 statement said.
The police said the suspects were subjected to preliminary investigation, during which statements were obtained from them, and the case was subsequently charged to court.
“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,” Daso said.
The command said it remained committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, the rule of law, due process, accountability and transparency.
The command urged the public to rely on verified information and allow the court to determine the matter based on the facts and evidence presented before it.
“The decision to charge the matter before a competent court is intended to allow the appropriate judicial process to take its course,” the statement said.
The arrests had drawn condemnation from Amnesty International Nigeria and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who demanded the immediate release of the men.
Amnesty described the detention as arbitrary and the charges as “bogus,” insisting that asserting political opposition is part of human rights.
Atiku said, ‘Tinubu Must Go’ is a demand for political change. It is not a weapon, a threat or a crime.”
The five men are Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
Their case was adjourned to October 6 for a bail ruling, with the substantive trial set for October 26.
BORNO POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASEPOLITICAL THUGGERY: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF FIVE SUSPECTS
The attention of the Borno State Police Command has been drawn to the viral reports and widespread public discourse concerning the arrest and subsequent pic.twitter.com/qEcLSmvsEj
— BORNO STATE POLICE COMMAND (@BornoPoliceNG) September 30, 2026
