The Adamawa State Police Command has taken a 33-year-old man identified as Aliyu Musa, aka Imam Mahdi into custody over a Tiktok video he made.
According to the police, the content creator had ‘tarnished’ the image of some stakeholders without having any evidence.
Mahdi, the content creator in question, is a resident of Kwacham Ward in the Mubi South Local Government Area, with the Tiktok handle, @faty5076.
A statement signed by spokesman for the state police command for the police commissioner, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, on Monday had revealed that the abusive language used by Mahdi was with the intention to discredit the prominent personalities and leaders in the state.
What They’re Saying:
Nguroje had said,
“The content portrays the young man’s assertions of claiming some Adamawa stakeholders are unjust thereby abusing them in an immoral manner which he doesn’t have any evidence to substantiate his assertions and that may not only tarnish their image but will also lead to breakdown of law and order, due to their sensitive responsibilities as public office holders in Adamawa in particular and Nigeria in General.”The State Police Command Spokesman further stressed that the Command was unequivocally condemning such acts in the strongest terms, with the promise to deal with anyone who is bent on flouting the laws of the land.
“Preliminary investigations so far reveal that the abusive language was done with the intention to demean the reputation of the prominent personalities and leaders in the state. This cruel and violent manner will lead to breakdown of law and order. It is imperative to employ proactive measures to guide and counsel social media handlers to be wary of their posts to avoid violating the laws that defined and regulate social media policies.” Nguroje concluded.
Why it Matters:
The arrest of Aliyu Musa, known as Imam Mahdi, is a result of a TikTok video he made that allegedly tarnished the image of certain stakeholders in Adamawa State.
While exercising his freedom of expression, Mahdi’s use of abusive language without evidence to support his claims potentially jeopardized public order and the reputation of the prominent figures he lambasted, and according to the police, such actions not only undermined the integrity of public office holders but also posed a threat to societal harmony.
And although Mahdi’s arrest may raise questions about freedom of speech, it also highlights the need for responsible social media usage and adherence to laws governing online behavior.
Bottom Line:
While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it must be exercised responsibly, especially on social media platforms like TikTok where the Nigerian Government mostly cracks down on.
Aliyu Musa’s arrest also spotlights the importance of adhering to laws governing online behavior and promoting constructive dialogue in any online space.
