Police operatives in Bauchi State have arrested one Usman Adamu, a 34-year-old final-year student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, for alleged harassment and defamation of character.
Usman, a native of Kyata village in Burra district of Ningi local government area of Bauchi State, was accused of defaming a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the State, CSP Danladi Mohammed, on Facebook.
The Police alleged that, “The suspect identified with Facebook user name Adamu Usman Kyata made some defamatory, abusive, injurious, malicious, misleading, harassing, aggressive, frightening, intimidating and inciting remarks and posted on his page against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Danladi Mohammed.”
It could be recalled that CSP Danladi Mohammed, was the officer who, if not for his prompt and timely intervention, the father of accused, Abdulmumuni Liman, could have been lynched by an irate mob over a feud with an aggrieved party.
A statement by the Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, on Saturday, said, “A complaint was received by Burra Divisional Police Headquarters on the April 2, 2024 about an incident that occurred on the same date at about 1200hrs.
“One Abdulmumuni Liman, alias Kwakiya of Kyata village via the same Burra District, invited some members of a volunteer group popularly known as “Babeli” led by one Yahaya Zomo from Toro LGA, Bauchi State to the Dangarfa village.
“The complainant alleged that Abdulmumuni Liman assaulted the complainant and inflicted various degrees of injuries on him over a land dispute.
“The detectives visited the crime scene and took the victims to General Hospital Burra for treatment. To further the investigation and unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Divisional Police Officer invited the suspect (Abdulmumuni Liman) for questioning over his action, but he vehemently dishonoured the invitation.”
The PPRO added, “The suspect’s action also sparked an outcry that led to a mob mobilising in solidarity with the complainant against the said Abdulmumuni Liman which escalated into a physical confrontation between the two sides.”
He further explained that the situation was promptly quelled and de-escalated by a team of Policemen led by the DPO, and suspects were arrested during the ensuing melee and transferred to Ningi Area Command for further investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to SP Wakil, to prevent misinformation and its consequences to the peace and security of the community, Usman (abdulmumin’s son) was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet investigation alongside other suspects involved.
He stated that Usman made a confessional statement, disclosing that he made the online publication based on hearsay and without having in-depth knowledge of what had transpired in his father’s case, while regretting his action, and asked the authorities and the DPO in particular for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, has directed a discreet investigation into the matter, condemning violence and misinformation as a means of pursuing justice.
CP Auwal Mohammed said, “We appreciate the efforts of Police operatives for de-escalating the situation, and whoever is found wanting will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.”