The release follows weeks of public outrage and legal battles after Tumma was arrested on February 6, 2025, by heavily armed officers in Mpape, Abuja.

After spending nearly 50 days in detention for allegedly insulting Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, popular TikToker Timothy Gabriel, widely known as ‘Tumma,’ has been released. 

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore broke the news on his Facebook page Tuesday evening, confirming Tumma’s release. 

Sowore wrote: “BREAKING: The Nigeria Police Force has released Timothy ‘Tumma’ Gabriel, the TikToker detained for over 50 days at the behest of Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu. Tumma is in high spirits and unbowed!”

The release follows weeks of public outrage and legal battles after Tumma was arrested on February 6, 2025, by heavily armed officers in Mpape, Abuja.

He was subsequently transferred to the Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force, where he remained in solitary confinement without bail. 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police failed to produce Tumma in court on Monday, March 24, 2025, despite the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduling a hearing.

The deliberate absence prompted the judge to adjourn the case until April 29, fueling accusations that the police were using delay tactics to silence the TikToker.

Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that IGP Egbetokun is not only the complainant but also the driving force behind the case.

Tumma was charged under the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc.) Act 2025 (as amended in 2024) for allegedly cyberstalking and defaming public officials.

One of the charges alleged that he falsely accused Governor Sanwo-Olu of being an "armed robber looting the state treasury," a statement prosecutors argued was intended to damage the governor's reputation.

Another charge accused him of making a video that allegedly tarnished the reputation of the Police IG.

Many Nigerians saw Tumma’s detention as yet another attempt by the ruling class to weaponise the law against critics, especially as similar cases of suppression have played out under the current administration. 

Social media users, activists, and legal experts also condemned the prolonged detention as an outright violation of his fundamental human rights. 

An X user, Larry, who closely followed the case, had previously called out the authorities: “You can’t arrest someone just because he criticised politicians. This is intimidation, not justice!”