Man Arrested For Shouting “No Water, No Light” At Governor During Eid Visit, Spends Five Days In Detention

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old resident of Suleja, Hamisu Abdullahi, who was taken into custody for allegedly “disrupting official proceedings” during Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s visit to the Emir of Suleja following Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

Abdullahi, an electrician and father of four residing in Unguwan Bayi, Suleja, reportedly raised concerns about the lack of basic amenities—specifically electricity and pipe-borne water—during the governor’s visit to the emir’s palace. His outburst, which witnesses said was a spontaneous expression of frustration, led to his arrest and subsequent transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.

Police Confirmation

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the development in a statement, noting that Abdullahi was taken into custody on March 20, 2026, over allegations of attempting to disrupt government activities.

“One Hamisu Abdullahi, 38, of Suleja, was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, on March 20, 2026, for suspected thuggery and attempting to disrupt government activities during the Sallah visit,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspect has since been granted bail while investigations are ongoing.

What Happened: A Frustrated Citizen Speaks Out

According to multiple sources, the incident began at the Eid prayer ground, where Abdullahi was among several residents who voiced complaints about the absence of basic services. He reportedly told the governor directly: “There is no electricity and no pipe-borne water in Suleja.”

The governor, according to sources, responded by explaining that electricity supply falls under the purview of distribution companies rather than the state government.

However, the matter escalated when Abdullahi was allegedly identified and asked to step forward during the subsequent palace visit. Sources alleged that Governor Bago told him he would be taught “a lesson on how to approach leaders,” after which the suspect was taken into custody and transported to Minna.

It was later reported that Abdullahi shouted “no water, no light” at the emir’s palace during the governor’s visit, drawing further attention to the lack of basic amenities in the area.

Five Days in Detention

Confirming his release, the suspect’s brother, Haruna Abdullahi, said Hamisu was granted bail on Tuesday evening after spending five days in detention. His arrest and prolonged detention have sparked discussions about citizens’ rights to voice grievances and the appropriate responses of public officials to such expressions.

Residents: Clean Water, Electricity Remain Elusive

Clean water and electricity remain significant challenges for many residents in Niger State, with Suleja being no exception. The community has long grappled with unreliable power supply and inadequate access to pipe-borne water, issues that were central to Abdullahi’s outburst.

For many residents, the incident has highlighted the frustration felt by citizens who struggle daily with the absence of basic amenities, only to face legal consequences when they attempt to voice their concerns to leaders.

Police: Investigation Ongoing

The police maintain that Abdullahi’s arrest was based on allegations of disorderly conduct and disruption of official activities. The command has stated that investigations are still in progress, and the suspect was granted bail while the probe continues.

The incident has drawn attention to the delicate balance between maintaining order during official functions and respecting citizens’ rights to express grievances about governance failures. As the investigation proceeds, questions remain about whether the response to Abdullahi’s outburst was proportionate and whether similar expressions of public frustration will be treated as criminal matters in the future.