Protest: ‘Walahi, the video I made was a big mistake, I’m sorry’

A 21-year-old, Lawan Buhari, who was arrested for posting a video that allegedly incited violence during the #EndBadGovernance protest, popularly referred to as Zanga Zanga in Hausa language, has expressed regret at his actions, saying that he made 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 language talked on hatred between the people and the police.

Saturday Tribune learnt that 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.

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

Giving the reason for his arrest, Buhari said: “It is true that I recorded a video to 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.” So, what was his reason for instigating people to protest, Saturday Tribune inquired. He responded: “It was a mistake on my part. No one pushed me into doing it. The phone I used belong to me. I am now aware of the implication of what I was doing, but I am very sorry.”

When asked whether he belonged to any terrorist group, the suspect replied in the negative, saying that in his life, 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.”

Was he prompted by anyone, he was also asked. The suspect said that no one pushed him into the act, but remembered the phone call he received from an unknown person who told him that he needed 50 persons for protest. Buhari said that 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.”

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