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 bordering on inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected 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
News Point Nigeria reports that 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 September 25, 2026, at about 6pm, apprehended the five suspects.
The Command said 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 pair of scissors and two T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
“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, according to the police.
“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 also 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, with initial reports indicating that the five men identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed were arrested over their alleged involvement in producing and wearing the “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
The earlier accounts alleged that the men conspired to print and wear the shirts with the 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 subsequently arraigned and remanded.
The development drew sharp reactions from civil society organisations and opposition figures, with Amnesty International condemning the arrests as arbitrary.
Amnesty International described the detention as an act of selective injustice aimed at curtailing opposition, insisting that peacefully expressing political dissent through clothing is a fundamental human right and not a crime.
The rights group called for the immediate and unconditional release of the five men and the dropping of what it described as 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.
However, the Borno State Police Command maintained that the suspects were not prosecuted solely because they wore the “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts, but in connection with the wider allegations made against them, including inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected drug substances.
The Command maintained that it remains committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability and the protection of lives and property.