A Suleja resident, Hamisu Abdullahi, has alleged that he paid N50,000 to secure his release after being detained for reportedly shouting “no water, no light” during a visit by Mohammed Umaru Bago to the Emir of Suleja following Eid-el-Fitr prayers.
Abdullahi said he was initially arrested on March 20, 2026, and detained at the Suleja police division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Minna the following day.
“I was released on bail on Tuesday evening. The police at the CID office police headquarters collected N50,000 from me for bail, and I was locked up at the Suleja police division the very day the incident happened on the orders of Bago before I was moved to CID in Minna on Saturday,” he said.
He added that he has been instructed to report back to the police headquarters in Minna as part of his bail conditions. “I’m told to return back to the police headquarters in Minna next week Tuesday,” he said.
Abdullahi also alleged that he was physically assaulted before his arrest. “An aide to the governor slapped me in the presence of the governor the day the incident happened at the Emir’s palace before asking police to take me into their custody.”
Describing his time in detention, he said, “I was interrogated at the Commissioner of Police office before I was granted bail, I was just locked up in a cell at CID.”
However, the Niger State Police Command confirmed the arrest, stating that Abdullahi was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to disrupt government activities during the governor’s Sallah visit.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said, “One Hamisu Abdullahi, 38, of Suleja, was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, on March 20, 2026, for suspected thuggery and attempting to disrupt government activities during the Sallah visit.
“However, he was later granted bail while investigation continues.”
Family sources indicated that Abdullahi, an electrician and father of four, had raised concerns about the lack of electricity and pipe-borne water shortly after Eid prayers, which escalated during the governor’s visit.
There were also claims that the arrest was carried out on the governor’s orders, although this has not been independently verified. When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said he was unaware of the incident.
Meanwhile, the International Press Institute Nigeria (IPI Nigeria) has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Governor Bago against actions that could undermine press freedom and civic expression in the state.
In a statement signed by its Deputy President, Fidelis Mbah, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the organisation expressed concern that actions by the governor and his officials could infringe on the rights of citizens and the media.
