Sokoto Scholar Arrested For Criticising El-Rufai Has Been Released

After spending a few days in custody, Bello Yabo, an Islamic cleric based in Sokoto State who was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly speaking ill words against Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been released.

Naija News understands that the cleric had on condemned the Kaduna State governor for the continuous ban on religious gathering, most especially for disallowing the usual Eid-El Fitri prayers in the state.

Bello in the video which went viral on the media described the governor as a ‘small bird’ while challenging the State Council of Ulamah for allowing the ban. He was, however, arrested by the security men in Sokoto State and was taken to Kaduna state for further interrogation.

The cleric, however, has been released on bail to a renowned lawyer in the state on Sunday night, Naija News confirmed.

Reacting to his arrest, Bello was said to have challenged the Kaduna State Policemen to prove their source of the said video which he described as manipulative. The cleric noted that it is not the first time some persons would impersonate him using modern technology.

Also confirming his release, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Mohammed Jaligi, revealed to newsmen that Bello has been set free on bail on Sunday, May 24.

Meanwhile, Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to jail parents who are in the habits of enrolling their children into the almajiri system.