Borno police clarify arrest of five men in ‘Tinubu must go’ t-Shirts
The Borno State Police Command has explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest and prosecution of five men found wearing or in possession of T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” saying the case was not based solely on the political message displayed on the clothing. The Command said the suspects were apprehended during a routine […] The post Borno police clarify arrest of…
The Borno State Police Command has provided further details on the arrest of five men accused of wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Tinubu Must Go." According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Command's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, the men were apprehended during a routine patrol in Maiduguri on September 25, 2026.
Contrary to initial reports, the arrest was not solely based on their possession of the politically charged T-shirts. Instead, the Command stated that the suspects were found in possession of illicit drugs and other items, including 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, a pair of scissors, and the two T-shirts.
The Command emphasized that the men were taken into custody after officers conducting patrols found these items in their possession, alongside the political message on the shirts. The suspects were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed. The Borno police clarified that the charges against the men include inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery, and possession of suspected drug substances, rather than solely the political message on the T-shirts.
The Command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and the protection of fundamental human rights, stating that it is a non-partisan institution. The clarification came amid controversy surrounding the arrests, with civil society groups and opposition figures criticizing the actions as arbitrary and indicative of selective action against political dissent.
Amnesty International condemned the arrests, arguing that expressing political disagreement through clothing is a fundamental right and called for the immediate release of the suspects. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized the arrests, urging for their unconditional release and the withdrawal of what he termed as a "sham trial."
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