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December 20, 2022
SaharaReporters had reported that minor was picked up by police personnel on December 11 in Nguru.
The Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has directed the immediate release of a teenager detained by the Nigerian police personnel for allegedly insulting him on social media.
SaharaReporters had reported that minor was picked up by police personnel on December 11 in Nguru and later transferred to the State Investigation Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Damaturu.
He was subsequently detained by the Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna for allegedly insulting the governor on social media.
Garba Isa, the father of the minor, had demanded the release of his son.
“I regret what my son did. I am nobody, an ordinary laundry man, what my son (Umar) did was totally wrong, I appeal to Governor Mai Mala Buni and the police on passionate grounds to forgive my son and release him,” Isa had said.
Confirming the arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna, had said the minor was in custody and would be charged to court when investigation was concluded.
“When we conclude our investigation, he will definitely be charged to court. People are using social media to insult and tarnish people’s character, the society needs to be sanitised,” the police boss had said.
“You cannot use social media and begin to post all sorts of things. There is law and order in Nigeria; whoever infringes on someone’s right will be punished.”
Reacting to the report, Buni said he wasn’t aware of the arrest and subsequent detention.
The governor added that he didn’t order the police to arrest anyone for insulting or criticising him.
"This is the price of leadership and we are fully conscious of it, therefore, l couldn't have ordered nor condoned the detention of anyone,” a statement quoting the governor by his media office read.
"Until someone drew my attention to it, l wasn't aware of his arrest and detention, l have now directed his immediate release from detention.”