Why We Arrested Five Men Wearing ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts

The Borno State Police Command has said five men arrested in Maiduguri were prosecuted over allegations including inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected drug substances, rather than simply for wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

The clarification followed public controversy over the arrest of the suspects, who were apprehended during a police patrol in Maiduguri on September 25, 2026.

According to the command, police officers conducting a routine township patrol around the West End Roundabout area at about 6pm arrested the five men after allegedly finding them with suspected Indian hemp, tablets and other items, alongside two T-shirts bearing the political inscription.

“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 suspects were subsequently subjected to preliminary investigation, during which the police said statements were obtained from them before the case was taken to court.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, issued the clarification on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, saying the command had taken note of viral reports and widespread discussions about the case.

The command also rejected any suggestion that the arrests were based on the suspects’ political views.

“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.”

Police said the decision to prosecute the matter was made to enable a competent court to determine the case through the judicial process.

The command urged members of the public to depend on verified information and allow the court to assess the facts and evidence presented before it.

Earlier reports had identified the five suspects as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.

They were accused of conspiring to print and wear the “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts allegedly with the intention of causing a breach of public peace around the West End Roundabout community.

The suspects were charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under relevant sections of the Borno State Penal Code.

They were subsequently arraigned and remanded.