The Katsina State Police Command said it has arrested a 75-year-old man, Lawal Abdullahi popularly called Izala, and one Bahajeje Abu, for ‘insulting’ President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State.
The police said the action of the duo is a ‘grave’ offence in the Nigerian constitution, especially under the penal code.
This followed a video that trended on various social media platforms where Izala, who was recorded by Abu, was captured pouring invectives on President Buhari and Governor Masari.
The Katsina State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, told journalists that the State Commissioner of Police (CP) Sanusi Buba directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Command to investigate and identify the culprits when the video surfaced online.
The Katsina State Police spokesman explained that insulting ordinary civilians without any justification talk ore of leaders is a serious offence under the penal code.
Isah therefore cautioned members of the public to avoid making derogatory videos to insult their leaders, and thereafter post on social media.
According to him; “It is an offence under the Cyber Crime Act, which has to do with posting on the social media.”
Speaking after he was paraded before newsmen by the Police, 75years old Izala, said he was arrested for criticing President Buhari and Governor Masari, adding however that he did not know that Abu recorded him.
He said; “The video was recorded after I travelled to my hometown and discovered that my brother was butchered because of a dispute over 15 cows. When I returned to where I stay in town, Abu approached me and without knowing what was wrong with me he started shouting “Sai Buhari, Sai Baba.”
“And out of annoyance, I started criticising Buhari and Governor Masari, without knowing I was been recorded by Abu. The video was recorded about three months ago, but it was just released recently. After it surfaced online, I received a call from a concerned friend, who asked me to run away. But I bluntly told him I will not run, let the police come and arrest me,” 75year old Izala said.
Also speaking, Abu said he recorded the video so that the Police would arrest Izala and prosecute him for insulting the President and the Katsina State Governor, without any concrete reason.
Abu said that he did not record the video to disparage the integrity of both the President and Governor Masari, who he loves and admires greatly.
He however denied posting the videos on social media, saying that someone may have transferred the video clip from his phone and thereafter posted it.
>>>> Forefront News
