Abuja protest: Man regrets posting video that incited violent demonstration

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Abuja protest: Man regrets posting video that incited violent demonstration

A young man, 21, arrested for posting a video that allegedly incited violence during the #EndBadGovernance protest, popularly referred to as Zanga Zanga in Hausa language, has expressed regrets over his actions, saying it was a big mistake.

Buhari was arrested by the Office of the National Security Adviser on Monday, August 5 and transferred to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit in Abuja on August 7 for further investigation.

In the video posted on TikTok, Buhari who spoke in Hausa talked on hatred between the people and the police.

He made the video on the third day of the protest before his arrest by the NSA’s office on Monday and subsequent transfer to IRT on Wednesday, August 7.

Buhari, who hails from Katsina State but resides in Abuja, said he was an itinerant costume jewellery trader at motor parks and markets.

He said, “It is true that I recorded a video during the hunger protest. In respect of the protest that was taking place, I spoke on hatred between us and the security agents.”

When asked if he joined the protest, Buhari said, “Walahi, I did not go for the protest. I went for my daily trading activities.” He also said, “No one pushed me into doing it. The phone I used belongs to me. I am now aware of the implication of what I was doing, but I am very sorry.”

The suspect denied belonging to any terrorist group.

He said he had never even stolen a chicken, but his mouth put him in trouble.

“Religiously, I know that one is not supposed to kill like that. I also know that the law does not allow instigation of violence or causing public disorder.”

The suspect however remembered the phone call he received from an unknown person who told him that he needed 50 persons for the protest.

Buhari said the unknown person who called him promised to feed the invited people.

“I promised to get the 50 people for the Zanga Zanga, but since that time, I did not call the person until I was arrested.

“The mistake I will forever regret in my life is the recording of the video. I have never taken drugs or alcohol in my life. I don’t know if my family is aware of my arrest.”