By Oyero Abiodun Yakub
A 16-year-old boy, Garba Umar has been arrested for allegedly insulting Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni on social media. This follows the recent detention and release of Aminu Muhammed, a 500L student of the Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa for slandering the first lady, Aisha Buhari.
The arrest came to the public knowledge after the minor’s father, Garba Isa appealed to the Governor of the state and the police authorities for his son’s release. Young Umar was arrested on December 11, 2022, in Nguru and later transferred to the State Investigation Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
Isa who spoke with Channels television via phone call condemned the speech of his son. He said, “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.”
The Commissioner of Police of Yobe, Garba Haruna confirmed that the suspect is in their custody, stating that he would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
“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 sanitized,” the CP 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”, he concluded.
