The Nigeria Police Force said it arrested Hadaina Dan-taki, who threatened to attack southerners in the North in retaliation for 16 travelling hunters killed in Uromi, Edo State.

Following public outcry over Mr Dan-Taki’ controversial Facebook post, the Kaduna State police command in a statement on Friday signed by Mansir Hassan, disowned Mr Dan-Taki, explaining that he was dismissed as police special constabulary over his questionable character.

It stated, “To set the record straight, Hadian Hussaini is neither a member of the Nigeria Police Force nor an operative of the Kaduna State Police Command. It is pertinent to note that his picture captured in police uniform as displayed on social media, which is an improper dressing, is that of him when he was a member of the police special constabulary attached to Kaduna State Constabulary Office, but was dismissed from the voluntary outfit two (2) years ago due to his questionable character. The pictures of him in uniform were posted on the Facebook platform two (2) years ago, prior to his dismissal.”

The police said that Mr Dan-Taki “has been arrested and will be charged to court upon the completion of preliminary investigations in accordance with extant laws.”

On Wednesday, Peoples Gazette reported that Mr Dan-Taki vowed to lead mob reprisal against southerners living in northern Nigeria in the next two weeks in a Facebook post.

A screenshot of Mr Dan-Taki threatening violence against southerners living in the North in a Facebook post went viral on Wednesday. His threat trailed the murder of 16 hunters travelling through Uromi, Edi State from Portharcourt, Rivers State, by a mob who mistook them for assailants terrorising the community.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a manhunt for those behind the Uromi killings. Similarly, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, visited Kano State to commiserate with the families of those killed, announcing that 14 persons had been arrested over the matter.