RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
Amnesty International has rejected the Borno State Police Command’s claim that five men arrested while wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” were found with suspected illicit substances, describing the allegation as an attempt to justify their continued detention.
The five men — Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed — were arrested on September 25 around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri.
The Borno State Police Command has denied that they were arrested solely because of the political message on their T-shirts.
Police said the men were apprehended during a routine patrol and accused them of conduct capable of causing public disturbance, thuggery and possession of suspected illicit substances.
The command maintained that the Nigeria Police Force is non-partisan and does not discriminate against individuals based on political affiliation or opinion.
Amnesty International, however, disputed the police account and questioned the introduction of the drug allegation after the men had earlier been accused of offences including inciting disturbance, breach of public peace and thuggery.
The rights organisation described the development as an attempt to punish the men for what it considers peaceful political expression.
Amnesty maintained that expressing opposition to a government or political candidate does not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the five men.
The organisation also urged the police and Borno State Government to respect freedom of expression and avoid arbitrary arrests connected to peaceful political activities.
The men have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Maiduguri and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Their lawyers have applied for bail, with the court expected to rule on the application on October 6. The substantive case has been adjourned until October 26.
The police maintain that the arrests were based on alleged criminal conduct beyond the political inscription on the T-shirts, while Amnesty International disputes that account.
The allegations against the five men have not been determined by the court.
