20/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE 20/04/2024
To the Editors,
Arrest of suspect for defamation, injurious falsehood, criminal intimidation, inciting disturbance, malicious publication and cyberstalking.
"There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak..." José N. Harris.
We are reaching out to you to inform you of the latest developments in a case that has caused quite a stir in the community. A complaint was received by Burra Divisional Police Headquarters on the 2nd of April 2024 about an incident that occurred on the same date at about 1200hrs. One Abdulmumuni Liman, alias Kwakiya 'm' of Kyata village via the same Burra District, invited some members of a volunteer group popularly known as "Babeli" led by one Yahaya Zomo 'm' from Toro LGA, Bauchi State to the Dangarfa village. The complaint alleged that Abdulmumuni Liman assaulted the complainants 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 suspect's action also sparked an outcry that led to some mobs mobilising in solidarity with the complainants against the said Abdulmumuni Liman alias "Kwakiya" which graduated into a physical confrontation between the two sides. However, the situation was promptly quelled and de-escalated by a team of Policemen led by the Division Police Officer (DPO), and suspects were arrested during the confrontation and transferred to Ningi Area Command for further investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police.
On the 3rd of April 2024, at about 0900hrs, one Usman Adamu, 34 years of Kyata village, a final year student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a son to the said Abdulmumuni Liman alias "Kwakiya" 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. CSP Danladi Mohammed is the officer who, if not for his prompt and timely intervention, the said Abdulmumuni Liman could have been mobbed by the irate mob and perhaps even killed.
To prevent misinformation and its consequences to the peace and security of the community, Usman Adamu was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a discreet investigation alongside other suspects involved. The suspect made a confessional statement, disclosing that he made the online publication based on hearsay and without having in-depth knowledge of what had transpired. While regretting his action, he asked the authority and the DPO in particular for forgiveness.
The Commissioner of Police has directed a discreet investigation into the matter, standing unequivocally against violence and misinformation as a means of pursuing justice. 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. We will keep you updated on any further developments in this case.
SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, Anipr,
Police Public Relations Officer,
For: Commissioner of Police,
Bauchi State Command.