Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has warned that anyone found engaging in activities capable of disrupting peace and security in the state will be arrested and detained.
Zulum issued the warning amid demonstrations in Maiduguri by youths wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
The governor said his administration would not allow activities involving violence, weapons, group identities or political activities that could threaten public safety to continue unchecked.
His comments came amid renewed controversy over the arrest and prosecution of five men in Maiduguri who were wearing or allegedly involved in the printing of T-shirts carrying the same political message.
The Borno State Police Command has said the five men were not arrested simply because of the inscription on the shirts. According to the police, they were arrested over alleged conduct capable of causing public disturbance and were also allegedly found with substances and other items.
Zulum Warns Against Activities That Could Cause Unrest
Speaking during an interview on recent disturbances in Borno, Zulum expressed concern about individuals displaying symbols associated with weapons or claiming membership of groups he described as problematic.
The governor said authorities would take action against people whose activities threaten peace in Maiduguri.
Zulum said:
“But you put it in writing on the singlet. You wear a T-shirt showing a sign of arms and knives. You wear the singlet and move around claiming to belong to a particular group.”
He warned that failing to confront activities capable of creating insecurity could have serious consequences for Maiduguri.
The governor said some parts of the city had become difficult to access at night because of the activities of groups he described as problematic.
“You cannot enter some area around 11 o’clock,” Zulum said, adding that authorities would take action against those responsible.
Governor Says Anyone Caught Will Be Arrested
Zulum said his administration would move against people responsible for incidents recorded in the state over the previous five days.
He also disclosed that some security measures being considered would not necessarily be announced publicly before implementation.
“That is why we will rise up and take action. There are measures we will take without necessarily announcing them to anyone. Anyone we catch will be arrested and detained,” the governor said.
Zulum maintained that the measures were intended to protect residents and prevent another conflict rather than settle personal or political scores.
“We will not tolerate anyone who wants to undermine peace in Borno,” he said.
The governor added that authorities would not allow anyone to instigate conflict, attack other people or cause unrest.
‘Tinubu Must Go’ Protests Trigger Controversy
The warning comes days after five men were arrested and arraigned in Maiduguri in connection with T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
The five defendants were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
According to reports, their bail application is expected to be ruled on October 6, while the substantive case has been adjourned until October 26.
The arrests have generated debate over whether the men were detained because of their political message or because of allegations of conduct capable of disturbing public order.
Police Give Different Account of Arrests
The Borno State Police Command has rejected suggestions that the five men were arrested merely for wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
The command said the suspects were arrested on September 25 during a routine patrol around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri.
Police said officers allegedly found 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, a pair of scissors and two T-shirts bearing the inscription.
The police said the men were subsequently investigated and charged over allegations including public disturbance and thuggery.
Amnesty International, however, condemned the arrests and argued that political dissent expressed through a T-shirt should not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.
The competing accounts have kept the issue in the public spotlight.
Zulum Previously Denied Ordering Arrests
Zulum had previously denied ordering the arrest of opposition supporters or anyone wearing “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
Speaking in Maiduguri on October 2, the governor said he was surprised that the arrests had been linked to his administration and maintained that he had not directed the police to detain the individuals.
He said his administration was focused on restoring peace and rebuilding Borno after years of Boko Haram insurgency rather than targeting political opponents.
The latest comments, in which Zulum said anyone caught engaging in activities capable of undermining peace would be arrested and detained, have since prompted further political reaction.
The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has asked the governor to explain the remarks, saying they appeared to contradict his earlier denial.
Zulum Calls for Political Activity Through Democratic Channels
The governor also questioned what previous protests had achieved and urged those seeking political change or public office to pursue their interests through democratic processes.
“What was achieved through all these acts of protest that were done years ago?” he asked.
Zulum added that anyone who wanted to contest an election should do so and that people interested in politics should engage through political processes.
He also expressed concern about the impact of violence on residents, including women, saying the consequences of insecurity were being witnessed across the city.
Maiduguri Security Situation Remains Under Focus
The latest development comes as political activity increases ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Zulum’s comments have placed renewed attention on the balance between maintaining public security and dealing with political expression and opposition activity in Borno.
While the governor says his warning is directed at activities capable of causing violence or undermining peace, critics have raised questions about the treatment of people involved in the “Tinubu Must Go” campaign.
The ongoing court case involving the five defendants is expected to provide further developments when the court considers their bail application on October 6.