The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, shortly after he made explosive allegations on national television concerning alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram terrorists, sparking fresh concerns over freedom of expression and due process.
Kaigama was reportedly taken into custody in Abuja on Wednesday, barely hours after appearing on Channels Television, where he accused authorities of issues surrounding alleged ransom payments to insurgents operating in Nigeria’s North-East.
His arrest has triggered outrage among rights advocates, with critics alleging that the move was aimed at silencing a vocal public figure over comments considered embarrassing to the authorities.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, alleging that legal representatives sent to the DSS headquarters were prevented from seeing the detained youth leader.
According to Sowore, a lawyer from the chambers of Deji Adeyanju waited for more than an hour at the DSS headquarters in Abuja but was denied access to Kaigama and was also refused entry into the facility.
“The lawless DSS arrested BOSYA President, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, yesterday in Abuja. We immediately sent a lawyer from Deji Adeyanju’s law firm to see him in detention today,” Sowore said.
“After waiting over an hour, the lawyer was denied access to both the detainee and the DSS premises, forcing him to leave without seeing his client.”
Sowore further alleged that Kaigama’s detention was directly connected to the allegations he made during his television appearance, insisting that the arrest was an attempt to intimidate and silence him.
“Kaigama recently made serious allegations on Channels Television regarding alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram terrorists. His arrest appears intended to silence him. It will not happen,” he stated.
The activist also criticised the conduct of the security agency, accusing it of operating outside the bounds of the law.
“Nigeria is fast becoming a complete banana republic, where security agencies operate with utter disregard for the rule of law and the rights of citizens,” Sowore added.
As of press time, the DSS had not issued an official statement explaining the reasons for Kaigama’s arrest or responding to allegations that legal counsel was denied access to him.
The incident has intensified debate over the powers of security agencies, respect for constitutional rights, and the treatment of individuals who make controversial allegations on matters of national security.