The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and detained popular TikToker Gabriel Timothy, known online as Tumma, over a comment he made regarding police directives on insulting government officials.
Tumma was taken into custody at about 6:30 PM on Thursday, February 6, 2025, by a team of stern-looking officers from the Berger Quarry Police Station in Mpape, Abuja.
It was learnt that following his arrest, Tumma was transferred to the Cyber-Crime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force, where he is currently being held.
The arrest is linked to a viral statement he made, claiming that the police had announced that anyone who insults government officials should be arrested.
In a video, Tumma said, “If any officer says he wants to check your phone, beat him. Even if the Commissioner of Police or President Tinubu says he wants to check your phone, beat him very well.”
He emphasised that a mobile phone is a personal possession.
Tumma in another video said, “Nigerian commissioner (Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun) of police wuwaka, your papa.”
He also directed his anger at President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He dared them to arrest him.
https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7460372862785506054?refer=embed
Meanwhile, his lawyer, S. M. Oyeghe, Esq., an Abuja-based human rights attorney, informed the media that the arrest was not based on any petition. Instead, the police acted on their own accord, as the allegations in the video implicate them and other influential Nigerians.
“I just confirmed from the brother who was there when his statement was taken- he confirmed there was no formal petition against him rather he was only confronted with the TikTok video,” he said.
Oyeghe said he visited the team in charge of the matter on February 11, 2025 and thereafter visited the suspects alongside his brothers – Gabriel Smart Victor and Innocent Gabriel – the FCID, where he is being detained.
“Till the time of the visitation, Gabriel Timothy is yet to be admitted to bail and the police have shown clear unwillingness to admit him to bail,” Oyeghe added.