Five Charged for Wearing “Tinubu Must Go” Shirts, Amnesty Condemns

The Borno State Police Command has arrested and arraigned five men in Maiduguri for allegedly printing and wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.“

According to a First Information Report (FIR) from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the suspects are Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.

The document, dated September 29, 2026, said the incident happened on September 25 around 11:00 a.m. near the West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.

Police charged the men with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery.

The prosecution says these offences violate Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. All five pleaded not guilty when the case was brought before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri. Their lawyers have since filed a bail application.

The presiding judge adjourned the matter to October 6, 2026, for a ruling on bail. The substantive trial is scheduled for October 26, 2026.

Amnesty International Condemns “Selective Injustice”

The arrests have sparked outrage from social media commentators and rights group Amnesty International. Critics allege a prominent state politician orchestrated the detentions to stifle opposition, claims this publication has not independently verified.

Amnesty International described the charges as bizarre and the detentions as arbitrary arrest. It said expressing peaceful political dissent through clothing is a fundamental human right, not a crime.

“Clearly, the intention of this reign of repression in Borno State appears to be selective injustice to curtail the opposition in the political space. It is sadly creating a toxic climate of fear that is contrary to the democratic principles of freedom and justice,” the group said.

Amnesty International demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees.

It called on authorities to drop what it termed a “sham trial based on bogus charges.” The arrests have also fuelled fierce debate online, with many social media users calling the police action an abuse of power.