The Borno State Police Command has clarified that five suspects arrested in Maiduguri were prosecuted not solely for wearing T-shirts inscribed “Tinubu Must Go,” but over allegations of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of drug substances.
In a press release issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the Command said its attention had been drawn to viral reports and widespread public discourse surrounding the case.
According to the statement, officers on a routine township patrol around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri on 25 September 2026, at about 6pm, apprehended the five suspects.
“The suspects were found in possession of: 1. 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp; 2. 100 tablets suspected to be D5; 3. One shisha pot; 4. One Scissors; 5. Two T-shirts bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu Must Go.’”
The Command stated that the suspects underwent preliminary investigation during which statements were obtained from them.
Upon completion of the initial investigation, the case was 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,” the statement read.
“The 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.”
It added that the decision to charge the matter before a competent court was intended to allow the appropriate judicial process to take its course.
Members of the public were urged to rely on verified information and allow the court to determine the matter based on the facts and evidence presented before it.
The clarification comes after the arrests triggered widespread controversy.
Initial reports indicated that the five men — identified in earlier accounts as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed — were accused of conspiring to print and wear the “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts with the alleged intent of causing a breach of public peace around the West End Roundabout community.
They faced charges including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under sections of the Borno State Penal Code.
The suspects were arraigned and remanded.
The development drew sharp reactions from civil society organisations and opposition figures.
Amnesty International condemned the arrests as arbitrary, describing the detention as an act of selective injustice aimed at curtailing opposition.
The rights group insisted that peacefully expressing political dissent through clothing is a fundamental human right and not a crime, calling for the men’s immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of what it termed a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar similarly condemned the arrests and called for the release of the five individuals.
The Borno State Police Command maintained that it remains committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability and the protection of lives and property.
