The Plateau State Police Command has taken a man into custody for allegedly using TikTok to rally support for the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship.
The individual, known by his TikTok handle @Dam-Mallam68, was arrested after creating a video deemed inciting, which prompted the police to track him down.
The spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday night, said, “Following the release of a TikTok video that occupied the social media space, stimulating violence in connection with the planned nationwide protest, the Plateau State Police Command has trailed and arrested the author of the inciting video.
“On 27/07/2024, the attention of the Command was drawn to the video putatively emanating from a TikTok account, identified as “Dam-Mallam68.
“The suspect in the video was seen assertively inciting the public to attack security operatives and burn down critical state and private infrastructures in Plateau State as part of the activities for the protest.”
Alfred stated that based on the strength of the information, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, activated the Police Command’s strategic resources to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the malicious video.
He said, “Consequently, on 28/07/2024 around 11:30 AM, one Suleiman Yakubu (male, aged 34 years) of Jos North, Plateau State who appeared in the viral video was picked at Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos through an impeccable informant.
“While in our custody, the suspect confessed to being the one in the video. Meanwhile, an investigation is still ongoing.
“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police wishes to state that the Police will intensely resist any attempt by mischief makers to plunge the State into chaos. He stressed the need for peace to remain untempered in the State amidst the before, during and after the protest.
“The Plateau State Commissioner of Police also urges the good people of Plateau State to be law abiding and refrain from making inciting comments that will threaten peace and security in the State.”
The statement urged residents of the state to report any suspicious activities to the police command and report any officer found to engage in any form of misconduct in the state.
