By Abdullahi Alhassan
The Borno State Police Command has arrested five men in Maiduguri over alleged political thuggery, conduct capable of disturbing public peace and possession of suspected illicit drugs.
The suspects were arrested around the West End Roundabout in Maiduguri at about 6:00pm on September 25, 2026, during a routine township patrol, according to the Command.
In a statement issued on Thursday September 30, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said the men were allegedly engaged in activities considered capable of causing public disturbance when they were intercepted by police operatives.
The Command said a search conducted after the arrest led to the recovery of 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be Diazepam, also known as D5, one shisha pot and a pair of scissors.
Two T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” were also reportedly recovered from the suspects.
ASP Daso said the suspects made statements during the preliminary investigation, following which the case was filed before a court.
“Statements were obtained from the suspects during preliminary investigation. Upon completion of the initial investigation, the case was charged to court,” he stated.
The arrests have generated discussions on social media, with some reports linking the suspects’ detention to the political message displayed on the T-shirts.
However, the Police Command rejected any suggestion that the arrests were based on political affiliation or viewpoint.
“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 said.
The Command maintained that the suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged offences established during police operations, stressing its commitment to fundamental human rights, the rule of law and due process.
According to the PPRO, referring the matter to court was intended to allow the judicial process to determine the issues arising from the case.
He urged members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid drawing conclusions from unconfirmed reports circulating online.
The suspects are expected to face allegations relating to public disturbance and possession of suspected illicit drugs, while the court is expected to determine the next stage of the proceedings.
The allegations contained in this report remain allegations until established by a competent court.
