Nigerian police detains man for naming dog Buhari

The Ogun state police has arrested a 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari.’ 

The trader who lives at No 10, Omikunle Street, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, was reportedly arrested after one of his neighbours of Northern extraction complained bitterly that he named his dog after his father, Alhaji Buhari. 

It was gathered that the complainant reported the case at Sango Police Station, last Saturday, after which the trader was arrested and detained. 

However, efforts by the police to recover the dog, which they intended using as evidence failed following a clever move by the suspect. 

The trader, said to be trading in female wears at a popular market in Sango, allegedly directed his friends secretly to kill the dog and possibly eat the meat in order to avoid being implicated. 

It was gathered that consistent appeals by his friends and relations for the police to grant him bail failed as the complainant and his kinsmen reportedly threatened to kill the trader if he was released on bail. 

9jareporters was informed that when Chinakwe’s relatives went to Sango police station to further plead for his bail, they were told that the case file and suspect have been transferred to Ogun State Police Command headquarters at Eleweran. 

A relation to the suspect, who simply identified himself as Chiedozie, noted that his brother was being persecuted for no just cause and expressed fears that he may either be poisoned inside police cell or thrown into jail. 

“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" Chiedozie said.