Amnesty International Demands Release of Arrested Protesters

Amnesty International has criticized the Nigeria Police Force's arrest of five men—Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed—in Maiduguri, Borno State, for wearing "Tinubu Must Go" T-shirts. The police claimed the men were found with drugs and had conspired to incite public disturbance.

However, Amnesty International dismissed these drug allegations as a tactic to justify the men's continued detention, stating that the police initially accused them of inciting disturbance and thuggery. Amnesty called for their immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing that holding dissenting political opinions is not a crime.

The Borno State Police Command defended its actions, asserting that it is a professional, non-partisan institution that does not discriminate based on political views. Amnesty warned that such arrests could undermine civic space and freedom of expression in the state.