Ogun (Nigeria) – A 30-year-old trader identified as Joe Fortemose Chinakwe was allegedly arrested on Saturday after a neighbour of his at Omikunle Street, Sango-Ota, Ogun State (South-west Nigeria) reported him to the police for naming his dog ” Alhaji Buhari”.
The complainant who claimed Joe named the dog Buhari because his father bears same name, insisted the suspects must not go out of custody on bail as he threatens to kill him if that happens.
A police source who told Vanguard that the action of the suspect was “provocative”, added that; “He not only named the dog Buhari but boldly wrote it on the body of both sides of the dog and was seen parading the neighborhood dominated by Northerners.’
However, a relative to the suspect (Joe), Chiedozie, said he saw nothing wrong with naming a dog what ever name one choose to. “Chinakwe is a lover of dogs and he names them after things that tickle him. He bought this dog a year ago and named it Buhari. Unfortunately, some Northerners, who dominate the vicinity where he resides misconstrued his intention and connived to take him up.”
The Ogun State acting police spokesman, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi who confirmed the arrest said, “I have made enquiries. The man bought a dog and inscribed Buhari on both sides of its body. One Mallam lodged a complaint and when our men got there, we found out that it was true. You know such thing can cause serious breach of the peace and ethnic or religious unrest. We are charging him to court for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Source: The Torrent