Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State 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 by youths wearing T-shirts inscribed “Tinubu Must Go,” as he expressed concern over the use of group identities, weapons and political activities to cause unrest in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The governor spoke in an interview while addressing recent disturbances in the state, stressing that his administration would not allow activities capable of threatening the safety of residents to continue unchecked.
He said authorities would take action against individuals displaying signs associated with violence or claiming membership of groups considered problematic.
“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,” Zulum said.
The governor warned that failure to confront such activities could have serious consequences for Maiduguri.
“I swear, if we stand by and watch these things happen without taking actions. I swear, this town will not remain habitable if this continues. I am telling you,” he said.
According to Zulum, some parts of the city had become difficult to access at night due to the activities of groups he described as problematic.
“You cannot enter some area around 11 o’clock. Those people, we will deal with all of them within ten minutes. But because there is no unity and cooperation…” he said.
He also raised concerns about the effect of violence on residents, particularly women, saying people were being affected by the situation.
“We will see what happens in this town. We have seen people being destroyed, and we are witnessing these things, including women being affected, right before our eyes,” the governor said.
Zulum maintained that political considerations should not stop authorities from dealing with individuals suspected of involvement in violence or unrest.
“People will be killed. But today, because of politics, someone will say, ‘Leave our boys alone,’ even when our own people are responsible for what is happening,” he said.
He added that his administration would move against those responsible for incidents recorded in the state over the past five days.
“We will deal with those responsible for what has been happening here over the past five days,” Zulum said.
The governor further disclosed that some of the measures being considered would not necessarily be announced publicly beforehand.
“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,” he said.
Zulum stressed that the government’s position was aimed at protecting peace in Borno rather than settling personal or political scores.
“We will not tolerate anyone who wants to undermine peace in Borno. This is not about me personally. We will not allow anyone to instigate another conflict, attack others, or cause unrest,” he said.
He 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.
“What has violence achieved? If you want to contest an election, go ahead. If you want to engage in politics, do politics, but.”
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 suspects — Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed — 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.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their bail application is expected to be ruled on October 6, while the substantive case has been adjourned to October 26.
