The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 32-year-old Anas Dauda, the man seen in a viral video threatening residents while brandishing an AK-47 rifle, sparking widespread outrage across social media platforms.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Suleiman Nguroje, the suspect was apprehended after a coordinated intelligence operation led operatives to his hideout in Mubi, a commercial hub in northern Adamawa.
Nguroje explained that the suspect’s arrest followed swift directives from the Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, who ordered a full-scale investigation into the viral footage that caused panic among residents and raised serious security concerns.
“The suspect, identified as Anas Dauda, aged 32, was tracked and arrested in Mubi. He is currently in police custody assisting with investigations. Efforts are ongoing to recover the rifle and trace its source,” the police spokesman said.
He assured the public that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property, emphasizing that no individual will be allowed to take the law into their own hands or threaten the peace of the state.
Meanwhile, the viral video, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, showed the suspect dressed in casual attire, holding an AK-47 rifle and issuing threats directed at unnamed individuals and communities. The footage sparked strong condemnation from citizens and civil society groups, who called for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
Security analysts have urged the police to thoroughly investigate how Dauda gained access to the weapon, raising concerns over the proliferation of small arms and the ease with which civilians obtain military-grade weapons in parts of the North-East.
The police assured that Dauda would be charged to court upon completion of investigations, adding that such reckless displays of firearms and incitement to violence would not be tolerated in Adamawa or anywhere in Nigeria.
Police Statement (Extract):
“The Adamawa State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the man seen in a viral video brandishing an AK-47 rifle has been identified as one Anas Dauda, aged 32. He was arrested in Mubi after a discreet investigation. The command is working tirelessly to recover the weapon and identify its source. The Commissioner of Police urges citizens to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to security agencies.” — SP Suleiman Nguroje, PPRO Adamawa State Command