UPDATED: Protest in Zamfara over ‘arrest’ of APC Stalwart

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State on Tuesday protested at a court premises in Gusau, the state capital, over the arrest and prosecution of a leader of the party, Ibrahim Danmaliki, for alleged public incitement.

Mr Danmaliki was accused by the state government of inciting violence in the state.

He served under the former governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, as adviser on special duties. He was the commissioner for information during the preceding administration of Mahmud Shinkafi.

Mr Danmaliki was reportedly arrested by the police at his residence in Gusau on Monday after he debunked Governor Bello Matawalle’s allegations that Mr Yari was sponsoring killings in the state.

Mr Danmaliki said bandits are still in possession of arms and still carry out attacks despite a peace deal with the state government.

The police spokesperson in Zamfara, Muhammad Shehu, said Mr Danmaliki was arrested on a court order.

On Tuesday, Mr Danmaliki was arraigned before an Upper Shariah Court in Samaru, Gusau, over allegations of inciting disturbance and breach of peace in the state.

Supporters of the APC stormed the court premises to protest the arrest and prosecution of the former official.

The presiding judge, Hadi Gusau, remanded Mr Danmaliki at Gusau Maximum Security Prison located at Kaura Road, Tudun Wada.

PREMIUM TIMES recalled that Mr Danmaliki at a press conference on November 23 said there are three million guns with bandits operating in the state.

However, Governor Matawalle’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, at a counter-press the conference, said Mr Danmaliki’s statement had proved that former governor Abdul’aziz Yari was behind criminal activities in the state.

He then urged the security agencies to invite Mr Danmaliki so that he could lead them to where the said weapons were being kept.

At the court premises on Tuesday, the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions calling for the unconditional release of Mr Danmaliki. They also used derogatory words on the governor and his government.

But Governor Matawalle’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, on Tuesday, said the state government did not order Mr Danmaliki’s arrest but that the security agencies did so in the exercise of their constitutional responsibility.