Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vehemently condemned the Nigerian Police for what he described as a blatant violation of citizens’ rights and a disregard for court orders.
In a statement released on Sunday by his media adviser, Paul O Ibe, Atiku expressed his outrage over the arrest and subsequent transportation of PDP Chieftain, Yusuf Sheriff Modu Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State, in defiance of a standing court order.
 Atiku highlighted that Justice M. A. Madugu of the Bwari Judicial Division had issued an order on June 13, 2024, restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 15, and the Commissioner of Police FCT from arresting, intimidating, harassing, or threatening Yusuf Sheriff Banki and his family pending the determination of a court case.
“Atiku is incensed by the Gestapo-style arrest, which flagrantly violated a valid and subsisting court injunction,” the statement read.
The former Vice President condemned the action as a display of impunity and a lack of respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights, comparing it to the oppressive practices reminiscent of military regimes.
Asserting Nigeria’s commitment to law and order, Atiku demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Yusuf Sheriff Banki and called for the respect of citizens’ rights and judicial processes.
He stressed that such actions undermine the country’s democratic values and erode public trust in law enforcement agencies.
The statement also highlighted growing concerns over the increasing trend of journalists being arrested under the guise of cybersecurity laws. Atiku urged the authorities to uphold press freedom and ensure accountability in governance.
He warned that the continuous suppression of free speech and the media could have dire consequences for the nation’s democracy.
Yusuf’s family, speaking to Newsmen, reported that he was apprehended on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja following a deceptive business meeting orchestrated by unidentified individuals who subsequently involved the police.
Initially fearing a kidnapping, Yusuf’s family contacted the police, only to discover later that he had been taken into custody in Borno State.
“All this harassment and infringement of rights is simply because he voiced the interests of Borno State, which clashed with the governor’s stance, as he mentioned in his video,” a family member lamented.
Atiku’s strong condemnation reflects his ongoing commitment to advocating for justice, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ rights in Nigeria.
He continues to call on the government and law enforcement agencies to act with integrity and respect for judicial authority, ensuring that every Nigerian’s rights are upheld and protected.
