Bauchi Gov Denies Ordering Arrest Of Abuja-Based Social Media Critic

Mohammed Abdullahi AbubakarThe Bauchi State government has denied any culpability in the alleged arrest by the police of a social media critic, Musa Babale Azare, in Abuja.

It was initially feared that Azare, a vocal critic of the activities of the Bauchi governor and staff of the federal judiciary, was abducted by unknown persons at his No. 33 Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja residence on Saturday evening, but it later emerged that he was arrested by the police.

Special Assistant to the Bauchi State governor on Media and Communication, Shamsudeen Lukman Abubakar, while reacting to the issue, said that his boss never facilitated the arrest of the critic by the police as being insinuated by some people.

Making the clarifications in a Facebook post on Sunday, Abubakar said that as a trained lawyer, Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar respects the law and will never go against it for political gains.

He said that the governor is preoccupied with the task of attending to the needs of people of the state who voted for the APC-led administration and as such will not engage in unnecessary victimisation of its citizens.

He, therefore, called on people of the state to disregard the misinformation being peddled by rumour mongers over the incident.

The governor’s aide noted that the series of rumours being peddled on social media are attempts to discredit the state governor and the APC administration in the state.

He stressed that the governor will always remain focused on ways to develop the state and fulfil electoral promises made to the people in spite of the financial challenges being faced.

Meanwhile, the social media critic has been released by the police on bail based on self-recognition.

Azare, who announced his freedom on his Facebook page yesterday, said: “This is to inform you that I have been released on bail based on self-recognition. We give glory to God Almighty, Master of the Day of Judgment.

“Words cannot express my appreciation to friends, family and thousands of supporters and admirers who took the campaign for my release to a level I never expected. I’m now safely reunited ‎with my family”.