Mala Buni orders release of 16-year-old boy who ‘insulted’ him on social media

Mala Buni of Yobe State

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has ordered the immediate release of a 16-year-old boy detained by the police for allegedly insulting him.

The teenager was reportedly arrested on December 11 — it is, however, not clear what the post was about.

Garba Isa, father of the boy, had pleaded and called on Buni and the authorities to release his son from detention.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mamman Mohammed, media aide to the governor, said on finding out, he ordered the immediate release of the teenager.

The governor said he was unaware of the arrest and detention and added that it was unnecessary to arrest anyone for criticising or insulting him.

“This is the price of leadership, and we are fully conscious of it; therefore, I couldn’t have ordered nor condoned the detention of anyone.

“Until someone drew my attention to it, I wasn’t aware of his arrest and detention. I have now directed his immediate release from detention,” he said.