‘They had drugs on them’, Police defend arrest of men who wore ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts

The Borno State Police Command defended the arrest of five men wearing T-shirts with "#TinubuMustGo" inscription, claiming they were apprehended for drug possession. Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso explained this during a response to public criticism that the arrest was an arbitrary attack on free speech. However, the Command's Spokesman refuted the political angle, stating the suspects were arrested for alleged thuggery, public disturbance, and drug possession.

Five suspects were arrested on September 25, 2026, around 6:00 p.m. during a routine patrol in the West-end roundabout. They were found in possession of 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 with the inscription. The police spokesperson emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force is a non-partisan institution committed to protecting fundamental rights and upholding the rule of law.

The police urged the public to rely on verified information before forming judgments. The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, public disturbance, public peace disturbance, and thuggery, which the prosecution argued violated specific provisions of the Borno State Penal Code. Their legal counsel filed a bail application, and the case was adjourned to October 6, 2026, for a ruling on bail, with the substantive trial scheduled for October 26, 2026.