Police Arrest 16-year-old Boy For ‘Insulting’ Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni On Social Media

A 16-year-old boy, Umar has been arrested by the police in Yobe state.

The minor was arrested for allegedly insulting Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on social media.

Garba Isa, the father of the minor, disclosed this when he came out to publicly demand the release of his son on Monday, December 19. According to Isa, his son was apprehended on December 11 in Nguru and later transferred to the State Investigation Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

“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 who is a laudry worker told Channels TV

Confirming the arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna, said the minor is now in custody and will be charged to court when investigation is 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.

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.” Garba was quoted as saying.

Reacting, the Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni directed the immediate release of the teenager detained by the police for allegedly insulting the state’s number one man.

Governor Buni who is not aware of the arrest and detention, said it was grossly unnecessary 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.

“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,” Governor Buni said.