The Borno State Police Command has clarified that five men arrested in Maiduguri were not prosecuted solely for wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go”, but over allegations bordering on inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected illicit substances.

The Command made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

The statement followed viral reports and widespread public reactions to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.

According to the Command, police officers on routine township patrol around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri on September 25, 2026, at about 6 p.m., apprehended the five men.

The suspects were allegedly 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 Command said the suspects underwent preliminary investigation, during which statements were obtained from them.

It added that following the completion of the initial investigation, the case was charged to court.

“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 said.

The police said the decision to charge the matter before a competent court was intended to allow the appropriate judicial process to take its course.

It urged members of the public to rely on verified information and allow the court to determine the matter based on the facts and evidence presented before it.

The clarification followed controversy generated by the arrest of the five men, earlier identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.

Earlier reports said the men were accused of conspiring to print and wear the “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts with the alleged intent of causing a breach of public peace around the West End Roundabout area.

They were reportedly arraigned and remanded on charges including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under relevant sections of the Borno State Penal Code.

The arrests attracted reactions from civil society organisations and opposition figures.

Amnesty International condemned the arrests, describing them as arbitrary and alleging that the action amounted to selective injustice aimed at curtailing opposition.

The rights organisation maintained that peacefully expressing political dissent through clothing is a fundamental human right and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the men and the withdrawal of what it described as a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the arrests and called for the release of the five individuals.

The Borno State Police Command, however, maintained that it remained committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability, due process and the protection of lives and property.