The Borno State Police Command has arrested and arraigned five men in Maiduguri for allegedly printing and wearing T-shirts inscribed with the words, “Tinubu Must Go.”

The defendants—Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21—were arrested following an incident around West End Roundabout in Maiduguri on September 25, 2026.

According to a First Information Report issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department and verified through court officials, the men were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.

The police alleged that the offences contravened Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.

The five defendants were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court I, Maiduguri, where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel subsequently applied for bail.

The presiding magistrate adjourned the case until October 6, 2026, for ruling on the bail application, while October 26 was fixed for commencement of the substantive trial.

The arrests have generated controversy, particularly among rights activists and social media commentators, who questioned the prosecution of the men over their alleged political expression.

Amnesty International condemned the arrests and prosecution, describing the charges as “bizarre” and the detention as arbitrary. The organisation argued that peaceful expression of political opinions through clothing should not constitute a criminal offence.

Amnesty called for the immediate and unconditional release of the defendants and urged the authorities to discontinue what it described as a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”

The rights group also alleged that the development reflected a broader attempt to suppress political opposition in Borno State. However, allegations that a prominent state politician orchestrated the arrests could not be independently veri, efforts to obtain the reaction of the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.