Bauchi Youth Arrested for Criticising LG Chairman Speaks after Spending 3 Days in Detention
- Usman Sabo, a youth from Bauchi State, was detained by the police after criticising Babangida Ishaq, Chairman of Shira Local Government Area, on Facebook
- Sources disclosed that Usman Sabo's arrest might have been politically motivated, given his affiliation with the All Progressives Congress, while the chairman is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party
- After he was detained for three days, Usman Sabo spoke out about the circumstances leading to his arrest
Shira, Bauchi State - Usman Sabo, a youth from Bauchi state, was reportedly detained by the police after voicing criticism against Babangida Ishaq, also known as Maliya, the chairman of Shira Local Government Area.
Source: Facebook
A family source disclosed that Sabo was arrested by officers from the GRA Police Division on Friday, August 8, following a statement he made on his Facebook page criticising the LG chairman. He was subsequently taken to Bauchi, as reported by Daily Trust.
Another source suggested Usman’s arrest was politically motivated, pointing out that he is affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the chairman is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the now-deleted Facebook post, Sabo allegedly criticised some of the recent administrative decisions of the local government chairman.
In one of the posts, he wrote, "In Shira local government, some workers are yet to receive their July salary. They are being owed allegedly because they don’t go to work. We are in the rainy season. Do you want people to abandon their farms?
“Secondly, it is wrong to give notice to workers occupying government houses. One of the past five local chairmen attempted to eject them. Some of those workers have been occupying the houses since 1999. They know the houses don’t belong to them. Those in active service have every right to occupy the houses.”
“Shira local government team is at risk of facing walkover in their scheduled match against Kirfi Local Government, the reason being the local government has refused to fund their travel. Why should the local government say it doesn’t have money? God has afflicted us with a leader who does not do what is right.”
Usman Sabo speaks after detention
In a statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday, August 12, Sabo spoke on the circumstances leading to his arrest, as seen by Legit.ng.
The statement reads, "Because of my recent posting that caused my arrest and I did nothing wrong. I didn't disrespect anyone, I didn't insult anyone and I didn't abuse anyone."
Sabo shared that he was arrested and detained for three days without committing any crime.
"I was arrested and detained unlawfully for 3days. Without committing any crime.
"Some are happy, I was caught, some are not, some are not happy, but they can't talk. So that pay master should not remove them from payroll, you are just quiet," he added.
He reiterated his political right to speak on governance affairs in the local government area.
"I am from Shira LG, and no one can remove me from the local government.
"And I have the right to speak up on anything I see wrong, speak up and advise to be corrected when I am wrong. There is no insult or insult or talk. I wish these are not my character."
"A good government shouldn’t be scared of criticism. It should listen, learn, and use it to serve us all better. That’s what democracy is about, holding leaders accountable so they do right by us. I’ve always believed that, and I still do, no matter how much pressure I face," the statement concluded
Shira LG chairman reacts to allegations
In response, Shira Local Government chairman Babangida Ishaq stated that Usman Sabo’s arrest was due to his repeated fabrication of stories intended to damage his reputation and that of his administration.
He defended his administration’s decision to withhold salaries, citing the high volume of ghost workers.
He also explained the reason behind evicting non-staff members of the local government from the staff quarters, stating that key members of the local government do not have suitable accommodation.
Source: Facebook
Sowore released after 48-hour detention
Legit.ng previously reported that Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, has been released from police custody after a 48-hour detention.
Barrister Festus Ogun, an ally of Sowore, disclosed the update on Friday night, August 8, via his known X (formerly Twitter) account.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
