The Kano state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Basheer Galadanci, a social media activist over alleged defamation, public incitement against the police force, insulting innocent persons and exposing operations of the command.
In a statement, accompanied by a video clip on Monday, spokesman of the command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said the 28-year-old resident of Sheka quarters in Kumbotso local government area of Kano state, was using Facebook to malign the police force and its personnel.
“Basheer was arrested over defamation, insults, inciting members of the public against the police and harassing the police command through Facebook,” he said.
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When asked about his sponsors, Mr Basheer alleged that he was working for Mr Kiyawa’s predecessor, Magaji Musa Majia, a superintendent of police (SP) who was transferred out of the state last year.
“I usually post comments on Facebook on behalf of (Magaji) Majia. He was not paying me for every writeup but from time to time, he rewards me with money ranging from N2,000 to N3,000,” he confessed.
Mr Basheer said he also defamed the character of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, adding that he was fed with information by some police personnel at the Kano command who he identified as Abdullahi and Kura.
I regret all that I have done. I admit that I was insensitive for making all those comments the Kano police command and its spokesman DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. I am seeking forgiveness from Kiyawa, the state commissioner of police and the entire Kano command. I will never repeat this mistake again,” he said.
