Parents of student arrested for criticizing Aisha Buhari plead for son’s release
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The parents of Aminu Adamu Mohammed, a 500-level student of the Federal University, Dutse, who was arrested over a tweet mocking the first lady, Aisha Buhari, have appealed to the president’s wife to forgive their son.
The 23-year-old student was arrested on November 18 by security operatives at his Block B Shekarau Angyau Hostel.
Mr Muhammad had on June 8 tweeted Mrs Buhari’s picture, in which she appeared fat, with the caption: “Mama fed fat on public funds”.
The student was said to have been held incommunicado until a week after his arrest, when his parents were informed of his detention.
He was said to have been taken to a villa, where he was allegedly manhandled by overzealous security operatives in the presence of the first lady.
His arrest had sparked outrage from Nigerians and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International.
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But speaking to BBC Hausa on Monday, a spokesperson for the family, Shehu Baba-Azare, said Mr Mohammed’s arrest had thrown the family members into frustration and distress.
He appealed to the first lady to act as a mother and forgive their son.
“The wife of the president, please forgive our son since you’re also a mother, that is our appeal,” he added.
The office of the first lady and the presidency are yet to comment on the issue.
