The Kaduna police command says a man who attempted to breach security protocol during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state “is of unsound mind”.
Tinubu was in Kaduna to inaugurate several projects executed by Uba Sani’s administration and was delivering a speech when a man now identified by the police as Umar Muhammed interrupted the president’s speech when he tried to approach him.
Tinubu’s security detail immediately restrained him, but the president asked them to “leave him alone”.
In a statement giving an update on the incident, Mansir Hassan, police spokesperson in Kaduna, said the investigation showed Mohammed was born with “psychiatric disorders”.
Hassan said upon interrogation, Mohammed explained that he has held a lifelong desire to meet with the president and governor and acted out of excitement.
The police spokesperson added that Mohammed was screened as a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before being granted access to the venue of the event, noting that he was thoroughly searched and no incriminating item was found on him.
“The Command wishes to set the record straight regarding the viral video showing a young supporter who attempted to approach restricted area, during a recent official function held in Murtala Square in Kaduna,” the statement reads.
“The individual in question is one Umar Mohammed, a native of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna. He was born with psychiatric disorders; he is of unsound mind.
“He is an ardent supporter of Mr. President and the Governor according to our findings. Nevertheless he was screened and admitted into the stadium as an APC supporter, wearing the standard campaign T-shirt and carrying banners bearing the images of the President and the Governor, like every other supporter screened and admitted into the Stadium by the event screening team.
“According to our preliminary investigation it was revealed that, he was among the supporters standing in the designated area for the party supporters before he suddenly breached the protocol barge into the restricted perimeter fence and jumped into the Arena out of curiosity and excitement to catch a closer look at the President.
“He was immediately blocked and arrested instantly by the inner cordon security. On interrogation he stated that he acted out of anxiety and emotional excitement, expressing a long-held desire to meet with the governor and the president.”
Meanwhile, Rabiu Muhammad, the state commissioner of police, said the viral video showing Mohammed breaching security protocol was doctored “to distort the true nature of the incident for political gain”.
Muhammad warned “mischief makers” to desist from sharing false information or politicising security matters.
“The matter is under investigation, and those spreading falsehoods will be invited for questioning and will be prosecuted if found culpable,” he said.
