The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested activist Mahdi Shehu over his alleged involvement in spreading a fake video related to national security issues.
The video, which went viral, was later proven to be false.
While details of Shehu’s arrest remain unclear, sources have confirmed that he is being held in Kaduna. According to insiders, the DSS initially engaged with Shehu in an attempt to resolve the situation, but despite efforts to address the fake video controversy, the activist’s arrest became inevitable.
“It became evident that all attempts to resolve the issue amicably failed, leading to his detention,” a source close to the investigation revealed. “There are also clear instructions for his impending arraignment in court.”
In light of the arrest, DSS officials have emphasized that Shehu’s rights will be respected during his time in detention. It is expected that the activist could be brought before a court as early as Monday, though no official date has been confirmed.
Shehu has faced public scrutiny for his controversial activism. Earlier this year, he was arrested after calling for an investigation into the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. However, Mahdi Shehu’s lawyer previously claimed that his arrest was linked to his demand for an inquiry into the former president and his officials.
In a statement clarifying the arrest, Abubakar Malami, former Minister of Justice, contradicted the lawyer’s claim, stating that Shehu’s detention was connected to allegations of extortion.
“The arrest is related to a petition we filed with the Inspector-General of Police concerning extortion allegations, not the call for an investigation into the former president,” said a representative from Malami’s firm.
